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diff --git a/8901-8.txt b/8901-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5e544cb --- /dev/null +++ b/8901-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16232 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works Of Lord Byron, Letters and +Journals, Vol. 1, by Lord Byron + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: The Works Of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Vol. 1 + +Author: Lord Byron + +Editor: Roland E. Prothero + +Posting Date: February 22, 2015 [EBook #8901] +Release Date: September, 2005 +First Posted: August 22, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BYRON, LETTERS AND JOURNALS, VOL 1 *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + +THE WORKS + +OF + +LORD BYRON. + + + +A NEW, REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + + +Letters and Journals. Vol. I. +_____________________________ + + + + + + +EDITED BY + +ROWLAND E. PROTHERO. + + + +1898. + + + + + + + +PREFACE + +Two great collections of Byron's letters have been already printed. In +Moore's 'Life', which appeared in 1830, 561 were given. These, in +FitzGreene Halleck's American edition of Byron's 'Works', published in +1847, were increased to 635. The first volume of a third collection, +edited by Mr. W. E. Henley, appeared early in 1897. A comparison of the +number of letters contained in these three collections down to August +22, 1811, shows that Moore prints 61, Halleck 78, and Mr. Henley 88. In +other words, the edition of 1897, which was the most complete so far as +it goes, added 27 letters to that of 1830, and 10 to that of 1847. But +it should be remembered that by far the greater part of the material +added by Halleck and Mr. Henley was seen and rejected by Moore. + +The present edition, down to August 22, 1811, prints 168 letters, or an +addition of 107 to Moore, 90 to Halleck, and 80 to Mr. Henley. Of this +additional matter considerably more than two-thirds was inaccessible to +Moore in 1830. + +In preparing this volume for the press, use has been also made of a mass +of material, bearing more or less directly on Byron's life, which was +accumulated by the grandfather and father of Mr. Murray. The notes thus +contain, it is believed, many details of biographical interest, which +are now for the first time published. + +It is necessary to make these comparisons, in order to define the +position which this edition claims to hold with regard to its +predecessors. On the other hand, no one can regret more sincerely than +myself--no one has more cause to regret--the circumstances which placed +this wealth of new material in my hands rather than in those of the true +poet and brilliant critic, who, to enthusiasm for Byron, and wide +acquaintance with the literature and social life of the day, adds the +rarer gift of giving life and significance to bygone events or trivial +details by unconsciously interesting his readers in his own living +personality. + +Byron's letters appeal on three special grounds to all lovers of English +literature. They offer the most suggestive commentary on his poetry; +they give the truest portrait of the man; they possess, at their best, +in their ease, freshness, and racy vigour, a very high literary value. + +The present volume, which covers the period from 1798 to August, 1811, +includes the letters written Lord Byron from his eleventh to his +twenty-third year. They therefore illustrate the composition of his +youthful poetry, of 'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers', and of the +first two cantos of 'Childe Harold'. They carry his history down to the +eve of that morning in March, 1812, when he awoke and found himself +famous--in a degree and to an extent which to the present generation +seem almost incomprehensible. + +If the letters were selected for their literary value alone, it is +probable that very few of those contained in the present volume would +find a place in a collection formed on this principle. But biographical +interest also demands consideration, and, in the case of Byron, this +claim is peculiarly strong. He has for years suffered much from the +suppression of the material on which a just estimate of his life may be +formed. It is difficult not to regret the destruction of the 'Memoirs', +in which he himself intended his history to be told. Their loss cannot +be replaced; but their best substitute is found in his letters. Through +them a truer conception of Byron can be formed than any impression which +is derived from Dallas, Leigh Hunt, Medwin, or even Moore. It therefore +seems only fair to Byron, that they should be allowed, as far as +possible, to interpret his career. For other reasons also it appears to +me too late, or too soon, to publish only those letters which possess a +high literary value. The real motive of such a selection would probably +be misread, and thus further misconceptions of Byron's character would +be encouraged. + +With one exception, therefore, the whole of the available material has +been published. The exception consists of some of the business letters +written by Byron to his solicitor. Enough of these have been printed to +indicate the pecuniary difficulties which undoubtedly influenced his +life and character; but it was not considered necessary to publish the +whole series. Men of genius ask money from their lawyers in the same +language, and with the same arguments, as the most ordinary persons. + +The picture which the letters give of Byron, is, it is believed, unique +in its completeness, while the portrait has the additional value of +being painted by his own hand. Byron's career lends itself only too +easily to that method of treatment, which dashes off a likeness by +vigorous strokes with a full brush, seizing with false emphasis on some +salient feature, and revelling in striking contrasts of light and shade. +But the style here adopted by the unconscious artist is rather that in +which Richardson the novelist painted his pathetic picture of Clarissa +Harlowe. With slow, laborious touches, with delicate gradations of +colour, sometimes with almost tedious minuteness and iteration, the +gradual growth of a strangely composite character is presented, +surrounded by the influences which controlled or moulded its +development, and traced through all the varieties of its rapidly +changing moods. Written, as Byron wrote, with habitual exaggeration, and +on the impulse of the moment, his letters correct one another, and, from +this point of view, every letter contained in the volume adds something +to the truth and completeness of the portrait. + +Round the central figure of Byron are grouped his relations and friends, +and two of the most interesting features in the volume are the strength +of his family affections, and the width, if not the depth, of his +capacity for friendship. His father died when the child was only three +years old. But a bundle of his letters, written from Valenciennes to his +sister, Mrs. Leigh, in 1790-91, still exists, to attest, with startling +plainness of speech, the strength of the tendencies which John Byron +transmitted to his son. The following extract contains the father's only +allusion to the boy:-- + + "Valenciennes, Feb. 16, 1791. + + Have you never received any letters from me by way of Bologne? I have + sent two. For God's sake send me some, as I have a great deal to pay. + With regard to Mrs. Byron, I am glad she writes to you. She is very + amiable at a distance; but I defy you and all the Apostles to live + with her two months, for, if any body could live with her, it was me. + 'Mais jeu de Mains, jeu de Vilains'. For my son, I am happy to hear he + is well; but for his walking, 'tis impossible, as he is club-footed." + +Between his mother and himself, in spite of frequent and violent +collisions, there existed a real affection, while the warmth of his love +for his half-sister Augusta, who had much of her brother's power of +winning affection, lost nothing in its permanence from the rarity of +their personal intercourse. Outside the family circle, the volume +introduces the only two men among his contemporaries who remained his +lifelong friends. In his affection for Lord Clare, whom he very rarely +saw after leaving school, there was a tinge of romance, and in him Byron +seems to have personified the best memories of an idealized Harrow. In +Hobhouse he found at once the truest and the most intimate of his +friends, a man whom he both liked and respected, and to whose opinion +and judgment he repeatedly deferred. On Hobhouse's side, the sentiment +which induced him, eminently sensible and practical as he was, to +treasure the nosegay which Byron had given him, long after it was +withered, shows how attractive must have been the personality of the +donor. + +Without the 'Dictionary of National Biography', the labour of preparing +the letters for the press would be trebled. Both in the facts which it +supplies, and in the sources of information which it suggests, it is an +invaluable aid. + +In conclusion, I desire to express my special obligations to Lord +Lovelace and Mr. Richard Edgcumbe, who have read the greater part of the +proofs, and to both of whom I am indebted for several useful +suggestions. + +R. E. PROTHERO. + +March, 1898. + + + + + +List of Letters + +1798 + +1. Nov. 8. To Mrs. Parker + +1799. + +2. March 13. To his Mother +3. Undated. To John Hanson + +1803. + +4. May 1. To his Mother +5. June 23, To his Mother +6. Sept. To his Mother + +1804. + +7. March 22. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +8. March 26. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +9. April 2. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +10. April 9. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +11 Aug. 18. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +12. Aug. 29. To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot +13. Oct. 25. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +14. Nov. 2. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +15. Nov. 11. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +16. Nov. 17. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +17. Nov. 21. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +18. Dec. 1. To John Hanson + +1805. + +19. Jan. 30. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +20. April 4. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +21. April 15. To Hargreaves Hanson +22. April 20. To Hargreaves Hanson +23. April 23. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +24. April 25. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +25. May 11. To John Hanson +26. June 5. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +27. June 27. To John Hanson +28. July 2. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +29. July 8. To John Hanson +30. Aug. 4. To Charles O. Gordon +31. Aug. 6. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +32. Aug. 10. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +33. Aug. 14. To Charles O. Gordon. +34. Aug. 19. To Hargreaves Hanson +35. Undated. To Hargreaves Hanson +36. Oct. 25. To Hargreaves Hanson +37. Oct. 26. To John Hanson +38. Nov. 6. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +39. Nov. 12. To Hargreaves Hanson +40. Nov. 23. To John Hanson +41. Nov. 30. To John Hanson +42. Dec. 4. To John Hanson +43. Dec. 13. To John Hanson +44. Dec. 26. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +45. Dec. 27. To the Hon. Augusta Byron + +1806 + +46. Jan. 7. To the Hon. Augusta Byron +47. Feb. 26. To his Mother +48. March 3. To John Hanson +49. March 10. To John Hanson +50. March 25. To John Hanson +51. May 16. To Henry Angelo +52. Aug. 9. To John M.B. Pigot +53. Aug. 10. To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot +54. Aug. 10. To John M.B. Pigot +55. Aug. 16. To John M.B. Pigot +56. Aug. 18. To John M.B. Pigot +57. Aug. 26. To John M. B. Pigot +58. Undated. To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot +59. Dec. 7. To John Hanson + +1807. + +60. Jan. 12. To J. Ridge +61. Jan. 13. To John M. B. Pigot +62. Jan. 31. To Captain John Leacroft +63. Feb. 4. " " " +64. Feb. 4. " " " +65. Feb. 6. To the Earl of Clare +66. Feb. 8. To Mrs. Hanson +67. March 6. To William Bankes +68. Undated. " " +69. Undated. To----Falkner +70. April 2. To John Hanson +71. April. To John M. B. Pigot +72. April 19. To John Hanson +73. June 11. To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot +74. June 30. " " " +75. July 5. " " " +76. July 13. " " " +77. July 20. To John Hanson +78. Aug. 2. To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot +79. Aug. 11. " " " +80. Oct. 19. To John Hanson +81. Oct. 26. To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot +82. Nov. 20. To J. Ridge +83. Dec. 2. To John Hanson +84. Nov. 9 (1820) To John Murray + +1808. + +85. Jan. 13. To Henry Drury +86. Jan. 16. To John Cam Hobhouse +87. Jan. 20. To Robert Charles Dallas +88. Jan. 21. " " " +89. Jan. 25. To John Hanson +90. Jan. 25. " " +91. Feb. 2. To James De Bathe +92. Feb. 11. To William Harness +93. Feb. 21. To J. Ridge +94. Feb. 26. To the Rev. John Becher +95. March 28. " " " +96. April 26. To the Hon. Augusta Leigh +97. Sept. 14. To the Rev. John Becher +98. Sept. 18. To John Jackson +99. Oct. 4. " " +100. Oct. 7. To his Mother +101. Nov. 2. " " +102. Nov. 3. To Francis Hodgson +103. Nov. 18. To John Hanson +104. Nov. 27. To Francis Hodgson +105. Nov. 30. To the Hon. Augusta Leigh +106. Dec. 14. " " " +107. Dec. 17. To John Hanson +108. Dec. 17. To Francis Hodgson + +1809. + +109. Jan. 15. To John Hanson +110. Jan. 25. To R. C. Dallas +111. Feb. 7. " " " +112. Feb. 11. " " " +113. Feb. 12. " " " +114. Feb. 16. " " " +115. Feb. 19. " " " +116. Feb. 22. " " " +117. March 6. To his Mother +118. March 18. To William Harness +119. Undated. To William Bankes +120. April 25. To R. C. Dallas +121. April 26. To John Hanson +122. May 15. To the Rev. R. Lowe +123. June 22. To his Mother +124. June 28. To the Rev. Henry Drury +125. June 25-30. To Francis Hodgson +126. July 16. " " " +127. Aug. 6. " " " +128. Aug. 11. To his Mother +129. Aug. 15. To Mr. Rushton +130. Sept. 15. To his Mother +131. Nov. 12. " " " + +1810. + +132. March 19. To his Mother +133. April 9. To his Mother +134. April I0. To his Mother +135. April 17. To his Mother +136. May 3. To Henry Drury +137. May 5. To Francis Hodgson +138. May 18. To his Mother +139. May 24. To his Mother +140. June 17. To Henry Drury +141. June 28. To his Mother +142. July 1. To his Mother +143. July 4. To Francis Hodgson +144. July 25. To his Mother +145. July 27. To his Mother +146. July 30. To his Mother +147. Oct. 2. To his Mother +148. Oct. 3. To Francis Hodgson +149. Oct. 4. To John Cam Hobhouse +150. Nov. 14. To Francis Hodgson + +1811. + +151. Jan. 14. To his Mother +I52. Feb. 28. To his Mother +153. June 25. To his Mother +154. June 28. To R. C. Dallas +155. June 29. To Francis Hodgson +156. July 17. To Henry Drury +157. July 23. To his Mother +158. July 30. To William Miller +159. Aug. 2. To John M. B. Pigot +160. Aug. 4. To John Hanson +161. Aug. 7. To Scrope Berdmore Davies +162. Aug. 12. To R. C. Dallas +163. Aug. 12. To----Bolton +164. Aug. 16. To----Bolton +165. Aug. 20. To----Bolton +166. Aug. 21. To the Hon. Augusta Leigh +167. Aug. 21. To R. C. Dallas +168. Aug. 22. To Francis Hodgson + + + + + +CONTENTS. + +CHAPTER + I. CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL + II. CAMBRIDGE AND JUVENILE POEMS +III. ENGLISH BARDS, AND SCOTCH REVIEWERS + IV. TRAVELS IN ALBANIA, GREECE, ETC.--DEATH OF MRS. BYRON + +APPENDIX I. REVIEW OF WORDSWORTH'S POEMS +APPENDIX II. ARTICLE FROM THE 'EDINBURGH REVIEW', FOR JANUARY, 1808 +APPENDIX III. REVIEW OF GELL'S 'GEOGRAPHY OF ITHACA', AND 'ITINERARY OF + GREECE' + + + + + +THE LETTERS OF LORD BYRON. + + + +CHAPTER I. + +1788-1805. + + +CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL. + +Catherine Gordon of Gight (1765-1811), afterwards Mrs. Byron, and mother +of the poet, was descended on the paternal side from Sir William Gordon +of Gight, the third son, by Annabella Stewart, daughter of James I of +Scotland, of George, second Earl of Huntly, Chancellor of Scotland +(1498-1502), and Lord-Lieutenant of the North from 1491 to his death in +1507. The owners of Gight, now a ruin, once a feudal stronghold, were a +hot-headed, hasty-handed race, sufficiently notable to be commemorated +by Thomas the Rhymer, and to leave their mark in the traditions of +Aberdeenshire. In the seventh generation from Sir William Gordon, the +property passed to an heiress, Mary Gordon. By her marriage with +Alexander Davidson of Newton, who assumed the name of Gordon, she had a +son Alexander, Mrs. Byron's grandfather, who married Margaret Duff of +Craigston, a cousin of the first Earl of Fife. Their eldest son, George, +the fifth of the Gordons of Gight who bore that name, married Catherine +Innes of Rosieburn, and by her became the father of Catherine Gordon, +born in 1765, afterwards Mrs. Byron. Both her parents dying early, +Catherine Gordon was brought up at Banff by her grandmother, commonly +called Lady Gight, a penurious, illiterate woman, who, however, was +careful that her granddaughter was better educated than herself. Thus, +for the second time, Gight, which, with other property, was worth +between £23,000 and £24,000, passed to an heiress. + +Miss Catherine Gordon had her full share of feminine vanity. At the age +of thirty-five she was a stout, dumpy, coarse-looking woman, awkward in +her movements, provincial in her accent and manner. But as her son was +vain of his personal appearance, and especially of his hands, neck, and +ears, so she, when other charms had vanished, clung to her pride in her +arms and hands. She exhausted the patience of Stewartson the artist, who +in 1806, after forty sittings, painted her portrait, by her anxiety to +have a particular turn in her elbow exhibited in the most pleasing +light. Of her ancestry she was, to use her son's expression, as "proud +as Lucifer," looked down upon the Byron family, and regarded the Duke of +Gordon as an inferior member of her clan. In later life, at any rate, +her temper was ungovernable; her language, when excited, unrestrained; +her love of gossip insatiable. Capricious in her moods, she flew from +one extreme to the other, passing, for the slightest cause, from +passionate affection to equally passionate resentment. How far these +defects were produced, as they certainly were aggravated, by her +husband's ill treatment and her hard struggle with poverty, it is +impossible to say. She had many good qualities. She bore her ruin, as +her letters show, with good sense, dignity, and composure. She lived on +a miserable pittance without running into debt; she pinched herself in +order to give her son a liberal supply of money; she was warm-hearted +and generous to those in distress. She adored her scamp of a husband, +and, in her own way, was a devoted mother. In politics she affected +democratic opinions, took in the 'Morning Chronicle', and paid for it, +as is shown by a bill sent in after her death, at the rate of £4 17s. +6d. for the half-year--no small deduction from her narrow income. She +was fond of books, subscribed to the Southwell Book Club, copied +passages which struck her in the course of her reading, collected all +the criticisms on her son's poetry, made shrewd remarks upon them +herself (Moore's 'Journal and Correspondence', vol. v. p. 295), and +corresponded with her friends on literary subjects. + +In 1785 Miss Catherine Gordon was at Bath, where, it may be mentioned, +her father had, some years before, committed suicide. There she met, and +there, on May 13, 1785, in the parish church of St. Michael, as the +register shows, she married Captain John Byron. + +Captain John Byron (1755-91), born at Plymouth, was the eldest son of +Admiral the Hon. John Byron (1723-86)--known in the Royal Navy as "Hardy +Byron" or "Foul-weather Jack"--by his marriage (1748) with Sophia +Trevanion of Carhais, in Cornwall. The admiral, next brother to William, +fifth Lord Byron, was a distinguished naval officer, whose 'Narrative' +of his shipwreck in the 'Wager' was published in 1768, and whose 'Voyage +round the World' in the 'Dolphin' was described by "an officer in the +said ship" in 1767. His eldest son, John Byron, educated at Westminster +and a French Military Academy, entered the Guards and served in America. +A gambler, a spendthrift, a profligate scamp, disowned by his father, he +in 1778 ran away with, and in 1779 married, Lady Carmarthen, wife of +Francis, afterwards fifth Duke of Leeds, née Lady Amelia d'Arcy, only +child and heiress of the last Earl of Holderness, and Baroness Conyers +in her own right. + +Captain Byron and his wife lived in Paris, where were born to them a son +and a daughter, both of whom died in infancy, and Augusta, born 1783, +the poet's half-sister, who subsequently married her first cousin, +Colonel George Leigh. In 1784 Lady Conyers died, and Captain Byron +returned to England, a widower, over head and ears in debt, and in +search of an heiress. + +It was a rhyme in Aberdeenshire-- + + "When the heron leaves the tree, + The laird of Gight shall landless be." + +Tradition has it that, at the marriage of Catherine Gordon with "mad +Jack Byron," the heronry at Gight passed over to Kelly or Haddo, the +property of the Earl of Aberdeen. "The land itself will not be long in +following," said his lordship, and so it proved. For a few months Mrs. +Byron Gordon--for her husband assumed the name, and by this title her +Scottish friends always addressed her--lived at Gight. But the ready +money, the outlying lands, the rights of fishery, the timber, failed to +liquidate Captain Byron's debts, and in 1786 Gight itself was sold to +Lord Aberdeen for £17,850. Mrs. Byron Gordon found herself, at the end +of eighteen months, stripped of her property, and reduced to the income +derived from £4200, subject to an annuity payable to her grandmother. +She bore the reverse with a composure which shows her to have been a +woman of no ordinary courage. Her letters on the subject are sensible, +not ill-expressed, and, considering the circumstances in which they were +written, give a favourable impression of her character. + +The wreck of their fortunes compelled Mrs. Byron Gordon and her husband +to retire to France. At the beginning of 1788 she had returned to +London, and on January 22, 1788, at 16, Holles Street (since numbered +24, and now destroyed), in the back drawing-room of the first floor, +gave birth to her only child, George Gordon, afterwards sixth Lord +Byron. Hanson gives the names of the nurse, Mrs. Mills, the man-midwife, +Mr. Combe, the doctor, Dr. Denman, who attended Mrs. Byron at her +confinement. Dallas was, therefore, mistaken in his supposition that the +poet was born at Dover. The child was baptized in London on February 29, +1788, as is proved by the register of the parish of Marylebone. + +Shortly after the birth of her son, Mrs. Byron settled in Aberdeen, +where she lived for upwards of eight years. During her stay there, in +the summer of 1791, her husband died at Valenciennes. In the year 1794, +by the death of his cousin William John Byron (1772-94) from a wound +received at the siege of Calvi, in Corsica, her son became the heir to +his great-uncle, the "wicked Lord Byron" (William, fifth Lord Byron, +1722-98), and a solicitor named Hanson was appointed to protect the +boy's interests. From Aberdeen Mrs. Byron kept up a correspondence with +her sister-in-law, Frances Leigh ('née' Byron), wife of General Charles +Leigh, to whom, in a letter, dated March 27, 1791, she speaks of her son +as "very well, and really a charming boy." Writing again to Mrs. Leigh, +December 8, 1794, she says, + + "I think myself much obliged to you for being so interested for + George; you may be sure I would do anything I could for my son, but I + really don't see what can be done for him in that case. You say you + are afraid Lord B. will dispose of the estates that are left, if he + can; if he has it in his power, nobody can prevent him from selling + them; if he has not, no one will buy them from him. You know Lord + Byron. Do you think he will do anything for George, or be at any + expense to give him a proper education; or, if he wish to do it, is + his present fortune such a one that he could spare anything out of it? + You know how poor I am, not that I mean to ask him to do anything for + him, that is to say, to be of any expense on his account." + +If any application was made to the boy's great-uncle, it was +unsuccessful. On May 19, 1798, Lord Byron died, and Hanson informed Mrs. +Byron that her son had succeeded to the title and estates. At the end of +the summer of that year, the little Lord Byron, with his mother and the +nurse May Gray, reached Newstead, and, within a few weeks from their +arrival, his first letter was written. His letters to his mother, it may +be observed, are always addressed to "the Honourable Mrs. Byron," a +title to which she had no claim. + + +1.--To Mrs. Parker. [1] + + + Newstead Abbey, Nov. 8th, 1798. + + Dear Madam,--My Mamma being unable to write herself desires I will let + you know that the potatoes are now ready and you are welcome to them + whenever you please. + + She begs you will ask Mrs. Parkyns if she would wish the poney to go + round by Nottingham or to go home the nearest way as it is now quite + well but too small to carry me. + + I have sent a young Rabbit which I beg Miss Frances will accept off + and which I promised to send before. My Mamma desires her best + compliments to you all in which I join. + + + I am, Dear Aunt, yours sincerely, + + BYRON. + + I hope you will excuse all blunders as it is the first letter I ever + wrote. + + + +[Footnote 1: This letter, the first that Byron wrote, was written when +he was ten years and ten months old. It is preserved in the Library of +Trinity College, Cambridge, and a facsimile is given by Elze, in his +'Life of Lord Byron'. + +It is apparently addressed to his aunt, Mrs. Parker. Charlotte Augusta +Byron, daughter of Admiral the Hon. John Byron, married Christopher +Parker (1761-1804), Vice-Admiral 1804, the son of Admiral of the Fleet +Sir Peter Parker, Bart. (1721-1811). Her son, who, on the death of his +grandfather, succeeded to the baronetcy as Sir Peter Parker, second +Bart. (1786-1814), commanded H.M.S. 'Menelaus', and was killed in an +attack on a body of American militia encamped near Baltimore. (See +Byron's "Elegy on the Death of Sir Peter Parker," and his letter to +Moore, October 7, 1814.) Her daughter Margaret, one of Byron's early +loves, inspired, as he says, his "first dash into poetry" (see 'Poems', +vol. i, p. 5, note 1).] + + + + + +2.--To his Mother. + + + Nottingham, 13 March, 1799. + + Dear Mama,--I am very glad to hear you are well. I am so myself, thank + God; upon my word I did not expect so long a Letter from you; however + I will answer it as well as I can. Mrs. Parkyns and the rest are well + and are much obliged to you for the present. Mr. Rogers [1] could + attend me every night at a separate hour from the Miss Parkynses, and + I am astonished you do not acquiesce in this Scheme which would keep + me in Mind of what I have almost entirely forgot. I recommend this to + you because, if some plan of this kind is not adopted, I shall be + called, or rather branded with the name of a dunce, which you know I + could never bear. I beg you will consider this plan seriously and I + will lend it all the assistance in my power. I shall be very glad to + see the Letter you talk of, and I have time just to say I hope every + body is well at Newstead, + + And remain, your affectionate Son, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Pray let me know when you are to send in the Horses to go to + Newstead. May [2] desires her Duty and I also expect an answer by the + miller. + + + +[Footnote 1: Dummer Rogers, "Teacher of French, English, Latin, and +Mathematicks", was, according to 'Notes and Queries' (4th series, vol. +iii. p. 561), an American loyalist, pensioned by the English Government. +He lived at Hen Cross, Nottingham, when Byron was staying in that city, +partly with Mrs. Parkyns, partly at Mr. Gill's, in St. James's Lane, to +be attended by a man named Lavender, "trussmaker to the general +hospital", who had some local reputation for the treatment of misshapen +limbs. Lavender, in 1814 ('Nottingham Directory' for 1814), appears as a +"surgeon". Rogers, who read parts of Virgil and Cicero with Byron, +represents him as, for his age, a fair scholar. He was often, during his +lessons, in violent pain, from the position in which his foot was kept; +and Rogers one day said to him, "It makes me uncomfortable, my Lord, to +see you sitting there in such pain as I know you must be suffering". +"Never mind, Mr. Rogers," answered the boy; "you shall not see any signs +of it in _me_." Many years after, when in the neighbourhood of +Nottingham, Byron sent a kind message to his old instructor, bidding the +bearer tell him that he could still recite twenty verses of Virgil which +he had read with Rogers when suffering torture all the time. + +[Footnote 2: Byron's nurse, who had accompanied him from Aberdeen (see +p. 10, note 1).] + + + + + +3.--To John Hanson. [1] + + SIR,--I am not a little disappointed at your Stay, for this last week + I expected you every hour; but, however, I beg it as a favour that you + will come up soon from Newstead as the Holidays commence in three + weeks Time. I congratulate you on Capt. Hanson's [1] being appointed + commander of The 'Brazen' Sloop of War, and I congratulate myself on + Lord Portsmouth's [2] Marriage, hoping his Lady, when he and I meet + next, will keep him in a little better order. The manner I knew that + Capt. Hanson was appointed Commander of the Ship before mentioned was + this. I saw it in the public Paper, and now, since you are going to + Newstead, I beg if you meet Gray [3] send her a packing as fast as + possible, and give my Compliments to Mrs. Hanson and to all my + comrades of the Battalions in and out upon different Stations, + + And remain, your little friend, + + BYRON. + + I forgot to tell you how I was. I am at present very well and my foot + goes but indifferently; I cannot perceive any alteration. + + + + + +[Footnote 1: John Hanson, of 6, Chancery Lane, a well-known London +solicitor, was introduced to the Byron family by an Aberdeenshire friend +of Mrs. Byron, Mr. Farquhar, a member of Parliament, and a civilian +practising in Doctors' Commons. The acquaintance began in January, 1788, +with Byron's birth, for the midwife and the nurse were recommended by +Mrs. Hanson. Six years later, Hanson was employed by Mrs. Byron to watch +the interests of her son, who in 1794 had become heir-presumptive to his +great-uncle. It was Hanson who, in the summer of 1798, communicated the +news of the death of Lord Byron to Mrs. Byron, and with his wife +received her and her son at Newstead. From that time till the close of +the minority, Hanson was intimately associated with Byron, both as a man +of business and a friend. He selected Dr. Glennie's school for the boy, +persuaded Lord Carlisle to become his guardian, introduced the ward to +Lord Carlisle, and entered him at Harrow. It was at his house in Earl's +Court that Byron, for five years, spent a considerable part of his +successive holidays. There he made acquaintance with Hanson's +children--his sons Charles, Hargreaves (his contemporary at Harrow), and +Newton, and his daughter, Mary Anne, who subsequently (March 7, 1814) +married the Earl of Portsmouth, Byron giving her away. This letter was +written by Byron a few weeks after he had gone to school at Dr. +Glennie's, in Lordship Lane, Dulwich. He remained there from August, +1799, to April, 1801. + +In a letter to Mrs. Byron, dated September 1, 1799, Hanson describes Dr. +Glennie's "Academy," where he had shortly before left the boy:-- + + "I left my entertaining companion with Mr. Glennie last Thursday week, + and I have since learnt from him that he is very comfortable and likes + the situation. His schoolfellows are very fine youths, and their + deportment does very great credit to their Preceptor. I succeeded in + getting Lord Byron a separate room, and I am persuaded the greatest + attention will be paid to him. Mr. Glennie is a Scotchman, has + travelled a great deal, and seems every way qualified for his present + situation." + + + +[Footnote 2: Captain James Hanson, R.N., was the brother of John Hanson +to whom the letter is written. Byron was born with a caul, prized by +sailors as a preservative from drowning. The caul was sold by Mrs. +Mills, the nurse who attended Mrs. Byron in January, 1788, to Captain +Hanson. In January, 1800, Captain Hanson, in command of H.M.S. 'Brazen', +had captured a French vessel, which he sent to Portsmouth with a prize +crew. On the 26th of the month, while shorthanded, he was caught in a +storm off Newhaven. The 'Brazen' foundered, and Captain Hanson with all +his men, except one, were drowned.] + + +[Footnote 3: In the late autumn of 1799 Lord Portsmouth was staying with +the Hansons before his marriage (November 23, 1799) with Miss Norton, +sister of Lord Grantley. In rough play he pinched Byron's ear; the boy +picked up a conch shell which was lying on the ground, and hurled it at +Lord Portsmouth's head, missing it by a hair's breadth, and smashing the +glass behind. In vain Mrs. Hanson tried to make the peace by saying that +Byron did not mean the missile for Lord Portsmouth. "But I 'did' mean +it!" he reiterated; "I will teach a fool of an earl to pinch another +noble's ear."] + + +[Footnote: 4. The following extract from a letter written by Hanson to +Mrs. Byron (September 1, 1799) places the character of Byron's nurse in +a different light to that which is given in Moore's 'Life':-- + + "I assure you, Madam, I should not have taken the liberty to have + interfered in your domestic Arrangements, had I not thought it + absolutely necessary to apprize you of the proceedings of your + Servant, Mrs. Gray; her conduct towards your son while at Nottingham + was shocking, and I was persuaded you needed but a hint of it to + dismiss her. Mrs. Parkyns, when I saw her, said something to me about + her; but when I found from dispassionate persons at Nottingham, it was + the general Topic of conversation, it would have ill become me to have + remained silent. + + My honourable little companion, tho' disposed to retain his feelings, + could not refrain, from the harsh usage he had received at her hands, + from complaining to me, and such is his dread of the Woman that I + really believe he would forego the satisfaction of seeing you if he + thought he was to meet her again. He told me that she was perpetually + beating him, and that his bones sometimes ached from it; that she + brought all sorts of Company of the very lowest Description into his + apartments; that she was out late at nights, and he was frequently + left to put himself to bed; that she would take the Chaise-boys into + the Chaise with her, and stopped at every little Ale-house to drink + with them. But, Madam, this is not all; she has even----traduced + yourself. + + I entertain a very great affection for Lord Byron, and I trust I shall + not be considered solely in my professional character, but as his + Friend. I introduced him to my Friends, Lord Grantley and his Brother + General Norton, who were vastly taken with him, as indeed are every + one. And I should be mortified in the highest degree to see the + honourable feelings of my little fellow exposed to insult by the + inordinate Indiscretions of any Servant. He has Ability and a + quickness of Conception, and a correct Discrimination that is seldom + seen in a youth, and he is a fit associate of men, and choice indeed + must be the Company that is selected for him."] + + + + + +4.--To his Mother. + + + Harrow-on-the-Hill, Sunday, May 1st, 1803. + + MY DEAR MOTHER,--I received your Letter the other day. And am happy to + hear you are well. I hope you will find Newstead in as favorable a + state as you can wish. I wish you would write to Sheldrake to tell him + to make haste with my shoes. [1] + + I am sorry to say that Mr. Henry Drury [2] has behaved himself to me + in a manner I neither'can' nor 'will bear'. He has seized now an + opportunity of showing his resentment towards me. To day in church I + was talking to a Boy who was sitting next me; 'that' perhaps was not + right, but hear what followed. After Church he spoke not a word to me, + but he took this Boy to his pupil room, where he abused me in a most + violent manner, called me 'blackguard', said he 'would' and 'could' + have me expelled from the School, and bade me thank his 'Charity' that + 'prevented' him; this was the Message he sent me, to which I shall + return no answer, but submit my case to 'you' and those you may think + 'fit' to 'consult'. Is this fit usage for any body? had I 'stole' or + behaved in the most 'abominable' way to him, his language could not + have been more outrageous. What must the boys think of me to hear such + a Message ordered to be delivered to me by a 'Master'? Better let him + take away my life than ruin my 'Character'. My Conscience acquits me + of ever 'meriting' expulsion at this School; I have been 'idle' and I + certainly ought not to talk in church, but I have never done a mean + action at this School to him or 'any one'. If I had done anything so + 'heinous', why should he allow me to stay at the School? Why should he + himself be so 'criminal' as to overlook faults which merit the + 'appellation' of a 'blackguard'? If he had had it in his power to have + me expelled, he would long ago have 'done' it; as it is, he has done + 'worse'. If I am treated in this Manner, I will not stay at this + School. I write you that I will not as yet appeal to Dr. Drury; his + Son's influence is more than mine and 'justice' would be 'refused' me. + Remember I told you, when I 'left' you at 'Bath', that he would seize + every means and opportunity of revenge, not for leaving him so much as + the mortification he suffered, because I begged you to let me leave + him. If I had been the Blackguard he talks of, why did he not of his + own accord refuse to keep me as his 'pupil'? You know Dr. Drury's + first letter, in it were these Words: "My son and Lord Byron have had + some Disagreements; but I hope that his future behaviour will render a + change of Tutors unnecessary." Last Term I was here but a short time, + and though he endeavoured, he could find nothing to abuse me in. Among + other things I forgot to tell you he said he had a great mind to expel + the Boy for speaking to me, and that if he ever again spoke to me he + would expel him. Let him explain his meaning; he abused me, but he + neither did nor can mention anything bad of me, further than what + every boy else in the School has done. I fear him not; but let him + explain his meaning; 'tis all I ask. I beg you will write to Dr. Drury + to let him know what I have said. He has behaved to me, as also Mr. + Evans, very kindly. If you do not take notice of this, I will leave + the School myself; but I am sure 'you' will not see me 'ill treated'; + better that I should suffer anything than this. I believe you will be + tired by this time of reading my letter, but, if you love me, you will + now show it. Pray write me immediately. I shall ever remain, Your + affectionate Son, BYRON. + + P.S.--Hargreaves Hanson desires his love to you and hopes you are very + well. I am not in want of any Money so will not ask you for any. God + bless, bless you. + + + +[Footnote 1: Byron appears to have suffered from what would now be +described as infantile paralysis, which affected the inner muscles of +the right leg and foot, and rendered him permanently lame. Before +leaving London for Aberdeen, Mrs. Byron consulted John Hunter, who, in +correspondence with Dr. Livingstone of Aberdeen, advised her as to the +treatment of her son. Writing, May 31, 1791, to Mrs. Leigh, she says, +"George's foot turns inward, and it is the right foot; he walks quite on +the side of his foot." In 1798 the child was placed under the care of +Lavender (see p. 7, note 1) at Nottingham, doubtless on the +recommendation of his aunt. In July, 1799, he was taken to London, in +order to consult Dr. Baillie. From July, 1799, till the end of 1802, he +was attended by Baillie in consultation with Dr. Laurie of 2, +Bartholomew's Close. Special appliances were made for the boy, under +their superintendence, by a scientific bootmaker named Sheldrake, in the +Strand. In 'The Lancet' for 1827-8 (vol. ii. p. 779) Mr. T. Sheldrake +describes "Lord Byron's case," giving an illustration of the foot. His +account does not tally, in some respects, with that taken from +contemporary letters, and his sketch represents the left not the right +leg. But the nature and extent of Byron's lameness have been the subject +of a curious variety of opinion. Lady Blessington, Moore, Gait, the +Contessa Albrizzi, never knew which foot was deformed. Jackson, the +boxer, thought it was the 'left' foot. Trelawney says that it proceeded +from a contraction of the back sinews, and that the 'right' foot was +most distorted. The lasts from which his shoes were made by Swift, the +Southwell bootmaker, are preserved in the Nottingham Museum, and in both +the foot is perfect in shape. The last pair of shoes modelled on them +were made May 7, 1807. Mrs. Leigh Hunt says that the 'left' foot was +shrunken, but was not a club-foot. Stendhal says the 'right' foot. +Thorwaldsen indicates the 'left' foot. Dr. James Millingen, who +inspected the feet after the poet's death, says that there was a +malformation of the 'left' foot and leg, and that he was born +club-footed. Two surgical boots are in the possession of Mr. Murray, +made for Byron as a child; both are for the 'right' foot, ankle, and +leg, and, assuming that they were made to fit the foot, they are too +long and thin for a club-foot. Both at Dulwich and at Harrow, Byron was +frequently seen by Laurie, whom Mrs. Byron paid, as she once complained +in a letter to Laurie, "at the rate of £150 a year." It is difficult to +see what more could have been done for the boy, and the explanation of +the failure to effect a cure is probably to be found in the following +extracts from two of Laurie's letters to Mrs. Byron. The first is dated +December 7, 1801:-- + + "Agreeable to your desire, I waited on Lord Byron at Harrow, and I + think it proper to inform you that I found his foot in a much worse + state than when I last saw it,--the shoe entirely wet through and the + brace round his ancle quite loose. I much fear his extreme inattention + will counteract every exertion on my part to make him better. I have + only to add that with proper care and bandaging, his foot may still be + greatly recovered; but any delay further than the present vacation + would render it folly to undertake it." + +The second letter is dated October 2, 1802. In it Laurie complains that +the boy had spent several days in London without seeing him, and adds-- + + "I cannot help lamenting he has so little sense of the Benefit he has + already received as to be so apparently neglectful."] + + + +[Footnote 2: For Henry Drury (afterwards an intimate friend of Byron) +and his father, the Head-master of Harrow, see p. 41, note 2. + +When Byron went to Harrow, in April, 1801, he was placed in Henry +Drury's house. But in January, 1803, he refused to go back to school +unless he was removed from Drury's care. He was in consequence placed at +Evans's house. Dr. Drury, writing to explain the new arrangement, says, +in a letter to Hanson, dated February 4, 1803-- + + "The reason why Lord Byron wishes for this change arises from the + repeated complaints of Mr. Henry Drury respecting his Inattention to + Business, and his propensity to make others laugh and disregard their + Employments as much as himself. On this subject I have had many very + serious conversations with him, and though Mr. H. D. had repeatedly + requested me to withdraw him from his Tuition, yet, relying on my own + remonstrances and arguments to rectify his Error, and on his own + reflection to confirm him in what is right, I was unwilling to accede + to my son's wishes. Lord Byron has now made the request himself; I am + glad it has been made, as he thereby imposes on himself an additional + responsibility, and encourages me to hope that by this change he + intends to lay aside all that negligence and those Childish Practices + which were the cause of former complaints." + +Fresh troubles soon arose, as Byron's letter indicates. Hanson forwarded +the boy's complaint to Dr. Drury, from whom he received the following +answer, dated May 15, 1803:-- + + "The Perusal of the inclosed has allowed me to inquire into the whole + Matter, and to relieve your young friend's Mind from any uneasy + impression it might have sustained from a hasty word I fairly confess. + I am sorry it was ever uttered; but certainly it was never intended to + make so deep a wound as his letter intimates. + + "I may truly say, without any parade of words, that I am deeply + interested in Lord Byron's welfare. He possesses, as his letter + proves, a mind that feels, and that can discriminate reasonably on + points in which it conceives itself injured. When I look forward to + the Possibility of the exercise of his Talents hereafter, and his + supplying the Deficiencies of fortune by the exertion of his abilities + and by application, I feel particularly hurt to see him idle, and + negligent, and apparently indifferent to the great object to be + pursued. This event, and the conversations which have passed between + us relative to it, will probably awaken in his mind a greater degree + of emulation, and make him studious of acquiring Distinction among his + Schoolfellows, as well as of securing to himself the affectionate + regard of his Instructors."] + + + + + +5.--To his Mother. + + + Harrow-on-the-Hill, June 23rd, 6th, 8th, 30th, 1803. + + My dear Mother,--I am much obliged to you for the Money you sent me. I + have already wrote to you several times about writing to Sheldrake: I + wish you would write to him, or Mr. Hanson to call on him, to tell him + to make an Instrument for my leg immediately, as I want one, rather. I + have been placed in a higher form in this School to day, and Dr. Drury + and I go on very well; write soon, my Dear Mother. + + I remain, your affectionate Son, + + BYRON. + + + + + +6.--To his Mother. [1] + + + Southwell, [Sept. 1803]. + + MY DEAR MOTHER,--I have sent Mealey [2] to day to you, before William + came, but now I shall write myself. I _promise_ you, upon my _honour_, + I will come over tomorrow in the _Afternoon_. I was not wishing to + resist your _Commands_, and really seriously intended coming over + tomorrow, ever since I received your last Letter; you know as well as + I do that it is not your Company I dislike, but the place you reside + in. I know it is time to go to Harrow. It will make me _unhappy_; but + I will _obey_. I only desire, entreat, this one day, and on my + _honour_ I will be over tomorrow in the evening or afternoon. I am + sorry you disapprove my Companions, who, however, are the first this + County affords, and my equals in most respects; but I will be + permitted to chuse for myself. I shall never interfere in your's and I + desire you will not molest me in mine. If you grant me this favour, + and allow me this one day unmolested, you will eternally oblige your + + Unhappy Son, + + BYRON. + + + I shall attempt to offer no excuse as you do not desire one. I only + entreat you as a Governor, not as a Mother, to allow me this one day. + Those that I most love live in this County; therefore in the name of + Mercy I entreat this one day to take leave, and then I will join you + again at Southwell to prepare to go to a place where--I will write no + more; it would only incense you. Adieu. Tomorrow I come. + + + +[Footnote 1: This letter is endorsed by Hanson, "Lord Byron to his +mother, "1803". In September, 1803, at the end of the summer holidays, +Byron did not return to Harrow. Dr. Drury asked the reason, received no +reply, and, on October 4, applied to Hanson for an explanation. Hanson's +inquiry drew from Mrs. Byron, on October 30, the following answer, with +which was enclosed the above letter from Byron:-- + + "You may well be surprized, and so may Dr. Drury, that Byron is not + returned to Harrow. But the Truth is, I cannot get him to return to + school, though I have done all in my power for six weeks past. He has + no indisposition that I know of, but love, desperate love, the 'worst' + of all 'maladies' in my opinion. In short, the Boy is distractedly in + love with Miss Chaworth, and he has not been with me three weeks all + the time he has been in this county, but spent all his time at + Annesley. + + If my son was of a proper age and the lady 'disengaged', it is the + last of all connexions that I would wish to take place; it has given + me much uneasiness. To prevent all trouble in future, I am determined + he shall not come here again till Easter; therefore I beg you will + find some proper situation for him at the next Holydays. I don't care + what I pay. I wish Dr. Drury would keep him. + + I shall go over to Newstead to-morrow and make a 'last effort' to get + him to Town." + +The effort, if made, failed. On November 7, 1803, Mrs. Byron wrote +again:-- + + "Byron is really so unhappy that I have agreed, much against my + inclination, to let him remain in this County till after the next + Holydays." + +It was not till January, 1804, that Byron returned to Harrow. + +Miss Mary Anne Chaworth, the object of Byron's passion, was then living +with her mother, Mrs. Clarke, at Annesley, near Newstead (see 'Poems', +vol. i. p. 189, and note 1). The grand-niece of the Mr. Chaworth who +was killed in a duel by William, fifth Lord Byron, on January 26, 1765 +('Annual Register', 1765, pp. 208-212; and 'State Trials', vol. xix. pp. +1178-1236), and the heiress of Annesley, she married, in August, 1805, +John Musters, by whom she had a daughter, born in 1806. (See "Well! thou +art happy!" 'Poems', vol. i. p. 277; see also, for other allusions to +Mrs. Chaworth Musters, 'ibid'., pp. 210, 239, 282, 285; and "The Dream" +of July, 1816.) In Byron's memorandum-book, he describes a visit which +he paid to Matlock with Miss Chaworth's mother, her stepfather Mr. +Clarke, some friends, "and 'my' M. A. C. Alas! why do I say MY? Our +union would have healed feuds in which blood had been shed by our +fathers,--it would have joined lands broad and rich, it would have +joined at least 'one' heart, and two persons not ill matched in years +(she is two years my elder) and--and--and--'what' has been the +result?" ('Life', p. 27). + +Mrs. Musters, after an unhappy married life, died in February, 1832, at +Wiverton Hall, near Nottingham. + +The connection between the families of Chaworth and Byron came through +the marriage of William, third Lord Byron (died 1695), with Elizabeth +Chaworth (died 1683), daughter of George Chaworth, created (1627) +Viscount Chaworth of Armagh (Thoroton's 'Nottinghamshire', vol. i. p. +198).] + + + +[Footnote 2: Owen Mealey, the steward at Newstead.] + + + + + +7.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. [1] + + + [At 63, Portland Place, London.] + + Burgage Manor, [Thursday], March 22d, 1804. + + Although, My ever Dear Augusta, I have hitherto appeared remiss in + replying to your kind and affectionate letters; yet I hope you will + not attribute my neglect to a want of affection, but rather to a + shyness naturally inherent in my Disposition. I will now endeavour as + amply as lies in my power to repay your kindness, and for the Future I + hope you will consider me not only as _a Brother_ but as your warmest + and most affectionate _Friend_, and if ever Circumstances should + require it your _protector_. Recollect, My Dearest Sister, that you + are _the nearest relation_ I have in _the world both by the ties of + Blood_ and _affection_. If there is anything in which I can serve you, + you have only to mention it; Trust to your Brother, and be assured he + will never betray your confidence. When You see my Cousin and future + Brother George Leigh, [2] tell him that I already consider him as my + Friend, for whoever is beloved by you, my amiable Sister, will always + be equally Dear to me. + + I arrived here today at 2 o'clock after a fatiguing Journey, I found + my Mother perfectly well. She desires to be kindly remembered to you; + as she is just now Gone out to an assembly, I have taken the first + opportunity to write to you, I hope she will not return immediately; + for if she was to take it into her head to peruse my epistle, there is + one part of it which would produce from her a panegyric on _a friend + of yours_, not at all agreeable to me, and I fancy, _not particularly + delightful to you_. If you see Lord Sidney Osborne [3] I beg you will + remember me to him; I fancy he has almost forgot me by this time, for + it is rather more than a year Since I had the pleasure of Seeing + him.--Also remember me to poor old Murray; [4] tell him we will see + that something is to be done for him, for _while I live he shall never + be abandoned In his old Age_. Write to me Soon, my Dear Augusta, And + do not forget to love me, In the meantime, I remain, more than words + can express, your ever sincere, affectionate + + Brother and Friend, + + BYRON. + + P.S. Do not forget to knit the purse you promised me, Adieu my beloved + Sister. + + + +[Footnote: 1. The Hon. Augusta Byron, Byron's half-sister (January, +1783-November, 1851), was the daughter of Captain John Byron by his +first wife, Amelia d'Arcy (died 1784), only child of the last Earl of +Holderness, Baroness Conyers in her own right, the divorced wife of +Francis, Marquis of Carmarthen, subsequently fifth Duke of Leeds. After +the return of Captain and Mrs. Byron to London early in 1788, she was +brought up by her grandmother, the Countess of Holderness. When the +latter died, Augusta Byron divided her time between her half-sister, +Lady Mary Osborne, who married, July 16, 1801, Lord Pelham, subsequently +(1805) Earl of Chichester; her half-brother George, who succeeded his +father as sixth Duke of Leeds in 1799; her cousin, the Earl of Carlisle; +and General and Mrs. Harcourt. From their houses her letters during the +period 1803-7 are written. In 1807 she married her first cousin, Colonel +George Leigh of the Tenth Dragoons, the son of General Charles Leigh, by +Frances, daughter of Admiral the Hon. John Byron. By her husband, who +was a friend of the Prince Regent and well known in society, she was the +mother of seven children. Their home was at Newmarket, till, in April, +1818, they were granted apartments in Flag Court, St. James's Palace, +where she died in November, 1851. + +Augusta Byron seems scarcely to have seen her brother between his +infancy and 1802. Lady Holderness and Mrs. Byron were not on friendly +terms, and it was not till the former's death that any intimacy was +renewed between the brother and sister. Writing on October 18, 1801, to +Augusta Byron, Mrs. Byron says, in allusion to the death of Lady +Holderness, + + "As I wish to bury what is past in _oblivion_, I shall avoid all + reflections on a person now no more; my opinion of yourself I have + suspended for some years; the time is now arrived when I shall form a + very _decided_ one. I take up my pen now, however, to condole with you + on the melancholy event that has happened, to offer you every + consolation in my power, to assure you of the inalterable regard and + friendship of myself and son. We will be extremely happy if ever we + can be of any service to you, now or at any future period. I take it + upon me to answer for him; although he knows so little of you, he + often mentions you to me in the most affectionate manner, indeed the + goodness of his heart and amiable disposition is such that your being + his sister, had he never seen you, would be a sufficient claim upon + him and ensure you every attention in his power to bestow. + + Ah, Augusta, need I assure you that you will ever be dear to me as the + Daughter of the man I tenderly loved, as the sister of my beloved, my + darling Boy, and I take God to witness you _once_ was dear to me on + your own account, and may be so _again_. I still recollect with a + degree of horror the many _sleepless_ nights, and days of _agony_, I + have passed by your bedside drowned in tears, while you lay insensible + and at the gates of death. Your recovery certainly was wonderful, and + thank God I did my duty. These days you cannot remember, but I never + will forget them ... Your brother is at Harrow School, and, if you + wish to see him, I have now no desire to keep you asunder." + +From 1802 till Byron's death, Augusta took in him the interest of an +elder sister. Writing to Hanson (June 17, 1804), she says-- + + "Pray write me a line and mention all you hear of my dear Brother: he + was a most delightful correspondent while he remained in + Nottinghamshire: but I can't obtain a single line from Harrow. I was + much struck with his _general improvement_; it was beyond the + expectations raised by what you had told me, and his letters gave me + the most excellent opinion of both his _Head_ and _Heart_." + +In this tone the letters are continued (see extracts p. 39; p. 45, +note 1; and p. 97 [Letter 48], [Foot]note 1 [further down]). + +From the end of 1805, with some interruptions, and less regularity, the +correspondence between brother and sister was maintained to the end of +Byron's life. To Augusta, then Mrs. Leigh, Byron sent a presentation +copy of 'Childe Harold', with the inscription: + + "To Augusta, my dearest sister, and my best friend, who has ever loved + me much better than I deserved, this volume is presented by her + father's son and most affectionate brother." + +She was the god-mother of Byron's daughter Augusta Ada, born December +10, 1815. In January, 1816, when Lady Byron was still with her husband, +she writes of and to Mrs. Leigh: + + "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." + +Lady Byron left Byron on January 15, 1816. Writing to Mrs. Leigh from +Kirby Mallory, she speaks of her as her "best comforter," notices her +absolute unselfishness, and says that Augusta's presence in Byron's +house in Piccadilly is her "great comfort" (Lady Byron's letters to Mrs. +Leigh, January 16 and January 23, 1816, quoted in the 'Quarterly Review' +for October, 1869, p. 414). Through Mrs. Leigh passed many +communications between Byron and Lady Byron after the separation. To +her, Byron, in 1816 and 1817, wrote the two sets of "Stanzas to +Augusta," the "Epistle to Augusta," and the Journal of his journey +through the Alps, "which contains all the germs of 'Manfred' (letter to +Murray, August, 1817). She was in his thoughts on the Rhine, and in the +third canto of 'Childe Harold':-- + + "But one thing want these banks of Rhine, + Thy gentle hand to clasp in mine." + +To her he was writing a letter at Missolonghi (February 23, 1824), which +he did not live to finish, "My dearest Augusta, I received a few days +ago your and Lady Byron's report of Ada's health." He carried with him +everywhere the pocket Bible which she had given him. "I have a Bible," +he told Dr. Kennedy ('Conversations'), "which my sister gave me, who is +an excellent woman, and I read it very often." His last articulate words +were "My sister--my child." + +Several volumes of Mrs. Leigh's commonplace books are in existence, +filled with extracts mostly on religious topics. She was, wrote the late +Earl Stanhope, in a letter quoted in the 'Quarterly Review' (October, +1869, p. 421), "very fond" of talking about Byron. + + "She was," he continues, "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." + +Frances, Lady Shelley, who died in January, 1873, and was intimately +acquainted with Byron and his contemporaries, speaks of her as a +"Dowdy-Goody." + + "I have seen," she writes + +(see 'Quarterly Review', October, 1869, p. 421, quoting from +a letter signed E. M. U., which appeared in the 'Times' for September +II, 1869), + + "a great deal of Mrs. Leigh (Augusta), having passed some days with + her and Colonel Leigh, for my husband's shooting near Newmarket, when + Lord Byron was in the house, and, as she told me, was writing 'The + Corsair', to my great astonishment, for it was a wretched small house, + full of her ill-trained children, who were always running up and down + stairs, and going into 'uncle's' bedroom, where he remained all the + morning."] + + +[Footnote 2: See preceding note.] + + +[Footnote 3: Francis, fifth Duke of Leeds, married, October 14, 1788, as +his second wife, Miss Catherine Anguish, by whom he had two children: +the eldest, a son, Sydney Godolphin Osborne, was born December 16, +1789.] + + +[Footnote 4: Joe Murray had been for many years in the employment of +William, fifth Lord Byron. At his master's death, in 1798, he was +taken into the service of the Duke of Leeds. + + "I saw poor Joseph Murray the other night," writes Augusta Byron to + Hanson (June 17, 1804), "who wishes me particularly to apply to Col. + Leigh, to get him into some City Charity which the Prince of Wales is + at the head of. + + I cannot understand what he means, nor can any body else, and + therefore, as he said he was advised by you, I think it better to + apply to you on the subject. I'm sure Col. Leigh would be happy to + oblige him; but in general he dislikes _asking favours_ of the + _Prince_, and this present moment is a bad one to chuse for the + purpose, as H.R.H. is so much taken up with _public affairs_. I am + very anxious about poor Joseph, and would almost do anything to serve + him. I fear he is too old and infirm to go to service again." + +Three years later (March 19, 1807), Augusta Byron writes again +to Hanson:-- + + "I have just had a pitiful note from poor old Murray, telling me of + his dismissal from the Duchess of Leeds; but he says he does not leave + her till June. I therefore hope something may in the mean time be done + for him. He requests me to write word of it to my Brother. I shall + certainly comply with his wishes, and send _two lines_ on that subject + to Southwell, where I conclude he is." + +Byron made Murray an allowance of £20 a year (see Letter 83), took him, +as soon as he could, into his service, and was careful, as he promises, +to provide that he should not be "abandoned in his old age." His +affection for Murray is marked by the postscript to the letter to Mrs. +Byron of June 22, 1809 (see also 'Life', pp. 74, 121); as also by his +draft will of 1811, in which he leaves Murray £50 a year for life. + + + + + +8.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [63, Portland Place, London.] + + Southwell, March 26th, 1804. + + + I received your affectionate letter, my ever Dear Sister, yesterday + and I now hasten to comply with your injunction by answering it as + soon as possible. Not, my Dear Girl, that it can be in the least + irksome to me to write to you, on the Contrary it will always prove my + Greatest pleasure, but I am sorry that I am afraid my correspondence + will not prove the most entertaining, for I have nothing that I can + relate to you, except my affection for you, which I can never + sufficiently express, therefore I should tire you, before I had half + satisfied myself. Ah, How unhappy I have hitherto been in being so + long separated from so amiable a Sister! but fortune has now + sufficiently atoned by discovering to me a relation whom I love, a + Friend in whom I can confide. In both these lights, my Dear Augusta, I + shall ever look upon you, and I hope you will never find your Brother + unworthy of your affection and Friendship. + + I am as you may imagine a little dull here; not being on terms of + intimacy with Lord Grey [1] I avoid Newstead, and my resources of + amusement are Books, and writing to my Augusta, which, wherever I am, + will always constitute my Greatest pleasure. I am not reconciled to + Lord Grey, _and I never will_. He was once my _Greatest Friend_, my + reasons for ceasing that Friendship are such as I cannot explain, not + even to you, my Dear Sister, (although were they to be made known to + any body, you would be the first,) but they will ever remain hidden in + my own breast. + + They are Good ones, however, for although I am _violent_ I am not + _capricious_ in my _attachments_. My mother disapproves of my + quarrelling with him, but if she knew the cause (which she never will + know,) She would reproach me no more. He Has forfeited all _title to + my esteem_, but I hold him in too much _contempt_ ever _to hate him_. + My mother desires to be kindly remembered to you. I shall soon be in + town to resume my studies at Harrow; I will certainly call upon you in + my way up. Present my respects to Mrs. Harcourt; [2] I am Glad to hear + that I am in her Good Graces for I shall always esteem her on account + of her behaviour to you, my Dear Girl. Pray tell me If you see Lord S. + Osborne, and how he is; what little I know of him I like very much and + If we were better acquainted I doubt not I should like him still + better. Do not forget to tell me how Murray is. As to your Future + prospects, my Dear Girl, _may they be happy_! I am sure you deserve + Happiness and if _you_ do not meet with it I shall begin to think it + is "a bad world we live in." Write to me soon. I am impatient to hear + from you. God bless you, My amiable Augusta, I remain, + + Your ever affectionate Brother and Friend, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Henry, third Earl of Sussex, died in 1799, when the earldom +lapsed. He was, however, succeeded in the ancient barony of Grey de +Ruthyn by his daughter's son, Henry Edward, twentieth Baron Grey de +Ruthyn (1780-1810), to whom Newstead was let. + + "I am glad," writes Mrs. Byron to Hanson, March 10, 1803, "that + Newstead is well let. I cannot find Lord Grey de Ruthin's Title in the + Peerage of England, Ireland, or Scotland. I suppose he is a _new_ + Peer." + +Lord Grey de Ruthyn married, in 1809, Anna Maria, daughter of William +Kelham, of Ryton-upon-Dunsmore, Warwick. (See postscript to Byron's +Letter to his mother, August 11, 1809.) The lease of Newstead terminated +in April, 1808.] + + +[Footnote 2: Probably the wife of General the Hon. William Harcourt +(1742-1830), who distinguished himself in the War of American +Independence, succeeded his only brother in 1809 as third (and last) +Earl Harcourt, was created a field-marshal in 1821, and died in 1830. He +married, in 1778, Mary, daughter of the Rev. William Danby, and widow of +Thomas Lockhart. She died in 1833.] + + + + + +9.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [At General Harcourt's, St. Leonard's Hill, Windsor, Berkshire.] + + Burgage Manor, April 2d, 1804. + + + I received your present, my beloved Augusta, which was very + acceptable, not that it will be of any use as a token of remembrance, + No, my affection for you will never permit me to forget you. + + I am afraid, my Dear Girl, that you will be absent when I am in town. + I cannot exactly say when I return to Harrow, but however it will be + in a very short time. I hope you were entertained by Sir Wm. Fawcet's + funeral on Saturday. [1] Though I should imagine such spectacles rather + calculated to excite Gloomy ideas. But I believe _your motive was not + quite of so mournful a cast_. + + You tell me that you are tired of London. I am rather surprised to + hear that, for I thought the Gaieties of the Metropolis were + particularly pleasing to _young ladies_. For my part I detest it; the + smoke and the noise feel particularly unpleasant; but however it is + preferable to this horrid place, where I am oppressed with _ennui_, + and have no amusement of any kind, except the conversation of my + mother, which is sometimes very _edifying_, but not always very + _agreeable_. There are very few books of any kind that are either + instructive or amusing, no society but old parsons and old Maids;--I + shoot a Good deal; but, thank God, I have not so far lost my reason as + to make shooting my only amusement. There are indeed some of my + neighbours whose only pleasures consist in field sports, but in other + respects they are only one degree removed from the brute creation. + + These however I endeavour not to imitate, but I sincerely wish for the + company of a few friends about my own age to soften the austerity of + the scene. I am an absolute Hermit; in a short time my Gravity which + is increased by my solitude will qualify me for an Archbishoprick; I + really begin to think that I should become a mitre amazingly well. You + tell me to write to you when I have nothing better to do; I am sure + writing to you, my Dear Sister, must ever form my Greatest pleasure, + but especially so, at this time. Your letters and those of one of my + Harrow friends form my only resources for driving away _dull care_. + For Godsake write me a letter as long as may fill _twenty sheets_ of + paper, recollect it is my only pleasure, if you won't Give me twenty + sheets, at least send me as long an epistle as you can and as soon as + possible; there will be time for me to receive one more Letter at + Southwell, and as soon as I Get to Harrow I will write to you. Excuse + my not writing more, my Dear Augusta, for I am sure you will be + sufficiently tired of reading this complaining narrative. God bless + you, my beloved Sister. Adieu. + + I remain your sincere and affectionate + + Friend and Brother, + + BYRON. + + Remember me kindly to Mrs. Harcourt. + + + +[Footnote 1: General the Right Hon. Sir William Fawcett, K.B. +(1728-1804), Colonel of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, Adjutant-General +(1778-1797), and Governor of Chelsea Hospital (1796-1804), died at his +house in Great George Street, Westminster, March 22, 1804. He had served +during the rebellion of 1745, and distinguished himself during the Seven +Years' War, where he was aide-de-camp first to General Elliot, and +afterwards to the Marquis of Granby. An excellent linguist, he +translated from the French, 'Reveries: or Memoirs upon the Art of War, +by Field-Marshal Count Saxe' (1757); and from the German, 'Regulations +for the Prussian Cavalry' (1757), 'Regulations for the Prussian +Infantry', and 'The Prussian Tacticks' (1759). His military and +diplomatic services were commemorated by a magnificent funeral on +Saturday, March 31, 1804. The body was carried through the streets from +Westminster to the chapel of Chelsea Hospital, the Prince Regent, the +Duke of Clarence, and the Duke of Kent following the hearse, and eight +general officers acting as pall-bearers.] + + + + + +10.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [At General Harcourt's, St. Leonard's Hill, Windsor, Berkshire.] + + Burgage Manor, April 9th, 1804. + + + A thousand thanks, my dear and Beloved Augusta, for your affectionate + Letter, and so ready compliance with the request of a peevish and + fretful Brother; it acted as a cordial on my drooping spirits and for + a while dispelled the Gloom which envelopes me in this uncomfortable + place. You see what power your letters have over me, so I hope you + will be liberal in your epistolary consolation. + + You will address your next letter to Harrow as I set out from + Southwell on Wednesday, and am sorry that I cannot contrive to be with + you, as I must resume my studies at Harrow directly. If I speak in + public at all, it will not be till the latter end of June or the + beginning of July. You are right in your conjecture for I feel not a + little nervous in the anticipation _of my Debut_ [1] as _an orator_. + By the bye, I do not dislike Harrow. I find _ways_ and _means_ to + amuse _myself very pleasantly_ there; the friend, whose correspondence + I find so amusing, is an old sporting companion of mine, whose + recitals of Shooting and Hunting expeditions are amusing to me as + having often been his companion in them, and I hope to be so still + oftener. + + My mother Gives a _party_ to night at which the principal _Southwell + Belles_ will be present, with one of which, although I don't as yet + know whom I shall so far _honour, having never seen them_, I intend to + _fall violently_ in love; it will serve as an amusement _pour passer + le temps_ and it will at least have the charm of novelty to recommend + it, then you know in the course of a few weeks I shall be quite _au + désespoir_, shoot myself and Go out of the world with _éclat_, and my + History will furnish materials for a pretty little Romance which shall + be entitled and denominated the loves of Lord B. and the cruel and + Inconstant Sigismunda Cunegunda Bridgetina, etc., etc., Princess of + Terra Incognita. + + Don't you think that I have a very good Knack for _novel writing_? I + have Just this minute been called away from writing to you by two + Gentlemen who have given me an invitation to go over to Screveton, a + village a few miles off, and spend a few days; but however I shall not + accept it, so you will continue to address your letters to Harrow as + usual. Write to me as soon as possible and give me a long letter. + Remember me to Mrs. Harcourt and all who enquire after me. Continue to + love me and believe me, + + Your truly affectionate Brother and Friend, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--My Mother's love to you, Adieu. + + + +[Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron, writing to Hanson, July 24, 1804, says, + + "I was informed by a Gentleman yesterday that he had been at Harrow + and heard him speaking, and that he acquitted himself uncommonly + well." + +Byron's name occurs in three of the Harrow speech-bills--July 5, 1804; +June 6, 1805; and July 4, 1805. The three bills are printed below:-- + + +HARROW SCHOOL PUBLIC SPEECHES. + +1. JULY 5, 1804. + + +Erskine, Maj. Cæsar } Ex Sallustio. +Sinclair Cato } +Long C. Canuleius ad Pleb. Ex Livio. +Molloy, Sr. The Country Box Lloyd. +Lord Byron Latinus } +Leeke Drances } Ex Virgilio. +Peel, Sr. Turnus } +Chaplin Henry the Fifth to his Shakespear. + Soldiers +Clayton Micispa ad Jugurtham Ex Sallustio. +Rowley Germanicus moriens Ex Tacito. +Grenside, Sr. General Wolfe to his Enfield. + Soldiers +Morant, Sr. Dido Ex Virgilio. +Mr. Calthorpe, Sr. In Catilinam Ex Cicerone. +Lloyd, Sr. The Ghost Shakespear. +Mr. Powys Tiresias Ex Horatio. +Sir Thomas Acland The Boil'd Pig Wesley. +Leveson Gower Ad Antonium Ex Cicerone. +Drury, Max. Earl of Strafford Hume. + + +2. JUNE 6, 1805. + +There were no Speeches for May, 1805. Dr. Butler came to Harrow this +year, after the Easter Holiday.--G.B. [1] + + +Doveton Canulcius Ex Livio. +Farrer, Sr. Medea Ex Ovidio. +Long Caractacus Mason. +Rogers Manlius Ex Sallustio. +Molloy Micipsa Ex Sallustio. +Lord Byron Zanga Young. +Drury, Sr. Memmius Ex Sallustio. +Hoare Ajax } Ex Ovidio. +East Ulysses } +Leeke The Passions: an Ode Collins. +Calvert, Sr. Galgacus Ex Tacito. +Bazett Catilina ad Consp. Ex Sallustio. +Franks, Sr. Antony Shakespeare. +Wildman, Majr. Sat. ix., Lib. i. Ex Horatio. +Lloyd, Sr. The Bard: an Ode Gray. + + + +3. JULY 4, 1805. + +Lyon Piso ad Milites Ex Tacito. +East Cato Addison. +Saumarez Drances } Ex Virgilio, _Æn._ xi +Annesley Turnus } +Calvert Lord Strafford's Hume. + Defence +Erskine, Sr. Achilles Ex Homero, _Il._ xvi +Bazett York Shakespeare. +Harrington Camillus Ex Livio. +Leeke Ode to the Passions Collins. +Sneyd Electra Ex Sophocle. +Long Satan's Soliloquy Milton, _P.L._, b. iv +Gibson Brutus } Ex Lucano. +Drury, Sr. Cato } +Lord Byron Lear Shakespeare. +Hoare Otho ad Milites Ex Livio. +Wildman Caractacus Mason. +Franks Wolsey Shakespeare. + + +Of Byron's oratorical powers, Dr. Drury, Head-master of Harrow, formed a +high opinion. + +"The upper part of the school," he writes (see 'Life', p. 20), composed +declamations, which, after a revisal by the tutors, were submitted to +the master. To him the authors repeated them, that they might be +improved in manner and action, before their public delivery. I certainly +was much pleased with Lord Byron's attitude, gesture, and delivery, as +well as with his composition. All who spoke on that day adhered, as +usual, to the letter of their composition, as, in the earlier part of +his delivery, did Lord Byron; but, to my surprise, he suddenly diverged +from the written composition, with a boldness and rapidity sufficient to +alarm me, lest he should fail in memory as to the conclusion. There was +no failure; he came round to the close of his composition without +discovering any impediment and irregularity on the whole. I questioned +him why he had altered his declamation. He declared he had made no +alteration, and did not know, in speaking, that he had deviated from it +one letter. I believed him; and, from a knowledge of his temperament, am +convinced that, fully impressed with the sense and substance of the +subject, he was hurried on to expressions and colourings more striking +than what his pen had expressed." + + "My qualities," says Byron, in one of his note-books (quoted by Moore, + 'Life', p. 20), "were much more oratorical and martial than poetical; + and Dr. Drury, my grand patron (our head-master), had a great notion + that I should turn out an orator, from my fluency, my turbulence, my + voice, my copiousness of declamation, and my action. I remember that + my first declamation astonished him into some unwonted (for he was + economical of such) and sudden compliments before the declaimers at + our first rehearsal." + +For his subjects Byron chose passages expressive of vehement passion, +such as Lear's address to the storm, or the speech of Zanga over the +body of Alonzo, from Young's tragedy 'The Revenge'. Zanga's character +and speech are famous in history from their application to Benjamin +Franklin, in Wedderburn's speech before the Privy Council (January, +1774) on the Whately Letters (Stanhope's 'History of England', vol. v. +p. 327, ed. 1853):-- + + "I forg'd the letter, and dispos'd the picture, + I hated, I despis'd, and I destroy."] + + +[Sub-Footnote A: Note, in Dr. G. Butler's writing, in the bound volume of +Speech-Bills presented by him to the Harrow School Library.] + + + + + +11.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + Burgage Manor, August 18th, 1804. + + + MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--I seize this interval of my _amiable_ mother's + absence this afternoon, again to inform you, or rather to desire to be + informed by you, of what is going on. For my own part I can send + nothing to amuse you, excepting a repetition of my complaints against + my tormentor, whose _diabolical_ disposition (pardon me for staining + my paper with so harsh a word) seems to increase with age, and to + acquire new force with Time. The more I see of her the more my dislike + augments; nor can I so entirely conquer the appearance of it, as to + prevent her from perceiving my opinion; this, so far from calming the + Gale, blows it into a _hurricane_, which threatens to destroy + everything, till exhausted by its own violence, it is lulled into a + sullen torpor, which, after a short period, is again roused into fresh + and revived phrenzy, to me most terrible, and to every other Spectator + astonishing. She then declares that she plainly sees I hate her, that + I am leagued with her bitter enemies, viz. Yourself, L'd C[arlisle] + and Mr. H[anson], and, as I never Dissemble or contradict her, we are + all _honoured_ with a multiplicity of epithets, too _numerous_, and + some of them too _gross_, to be repeated. In this society, and in this + amusing and instructive manner, have I dragged out a weary fortnight, + and am condemned to pass another or three weeks as happily as the + former. No captive Negro, or Prisoner of war, ever looked forward to + their emancipation, and return to Liberty with more Joy, and with more + lingering expectation, than I do to my escape from this maternal + bondage, and this accursed place, which is the region of dullness + itself, and more stupid than the banks of Lethe, though it possesses + contrary qualities to the river of oblivion, as the detested scenes I + now witness, make me regret the happier ones already passed, and wish + their restoration. + + Such Augusta is the happy life I now lead, such my _amusements_. I + wander about hating everything I behold, and if I remained here a few + months longer, I should become, what with _envy, spleen and all + uncharitableness_, a complete _misanthrope_, but notwithstanding this, + + Believe me, Dearest Augusta, ever yours, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + + + +12.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. [1] + + Burgage Manor, August 29, 1804. + + + I received the arms, my dear Miss Pigot, and am very much obliged to + you for the trouble you have taken. It is impossible I should have any + fault to find with them. The sight of the drawings gives me great + pleasure for a double reason,--in the first place, they will ornament + my books, in the next, they convince me that _you_ have not entirely + _forgot_ me. I am, however, sorry you do not return sooner--you have + already been gone an _age_. I perhaps may have taken my departure for + London before you come back; but, however, I will hope not. Do not + overlook my watch-riband and purse, as I wish to carry them with me. + Your note was given me by Harry, [2] at the play, whither I attended + Miss Leacroft, [3] and Dr. S----; and now I have sat down to answer it + before I go to bed. If I am at Southwell when you return,--and I + sincerely hope you will soon, for I very much regret your absence,--I + shall be happy to hear you sing my favourite, "The Maid of Lodi." [4] + My mother, together with myself, desires to be affectionately + remembered to Mrs. Pigot, and, believe me, my dear Miss Pigot, I + remain, your affectionate friend, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--If you think proper to send me any answer to this, I shall be + extremely happy to receive it. Adieu. + + P.S.2d.--As you say you are a novice in the art of knitting, I hope it + don't give you too much trouble. Go on _slowly_, but surely. Once + more, adieu. + + + +[Footnote 1: Elizabeth Bridget Pigot lived with her mother and two +brothers on Southwell Green, in a house opposite Burgage Manor. Miss +Pigot thus describes her first meeting with Byron ('Life', p. 32):-- + + "The first time I was introduced to him was at a party at his + mother's, when he was so shy that she was forced to send for him three + times before she could persuade him to come into the drawing-room, to + play with the young people at a round game. He was then a fat, bashful + boy, with his hair combed straight over his forehead, and extremely + like a miniature picture that his mother had painted by M. de + Chambruland. The next morning Mrs. Byron brought him to call at our + house, when he still continued shy and formal in his manner. The + conversation turned upon Cheltenham, where we had been staying, the + amusements there, the plays, etc.; and I mentioned that I had seen the + character of Gabriel Lackbrain very well performed. His mother getting + up to go, he accompanied her, making a formal bow, and I, in allusion + to the play, said, 'Good-by, Gaby.' His countenance lighted up, his + handsome mouth displayed a broad grin, all his shyness vanished, never + to return, and, upon his mother's saying, 'Come, Byron, are you + ready?'--no, she might go by herself, he would stay and talk a little + longer; and from that moment he used to come in and go out at all + hours, as it pleased him, and in our house considered himself + perfectly at home." + +The character of "Gabriel Lackbrain," mentioned above, occurs in 'Life', +a comedy by F. Reynolds. It was at Byron's suggestion that Moore, when +preparing the 'Life', applied to Miss Pigot for letters. On January 22, +1828, he was taken to call on her and her mother by the Rev. John +Becher. + + "Their reception of me most cordial and flattering; made me sit in the + chair which Byron used to sit in, and remarked, as a singularity, that + this was the poor fellow's birthday; he would to-day have been forty. + On parting with Mrs. Pigot, a fine, intelligent old lady, who has been + bedridden for years, she kissed my hand most affectionately, and said + that, much as she had always admired me as a poet, it was as the + friend of Byron she valued and loved me ... Her affection, indeed, to + his memory is unbounded, and she seems unwilling to allow that he had + a single fault ... Miss Pigot in the evening, with his letters, which + interested me exceedingly; some written when he was quite a boy, and + the bad spelling and scrambling handwriting delightful; spelling, + indeed, was a very late accomplishment with him" + +('Diary of Thomas Moore', vol. v. p. 249). (See "To Eliza," 'Poems', +vol. i. pp.47-49; see also the lines "To M. S. G.," 'Poems', vol. i. pp. +79, 80; see for the lines which Byron wrote in her copy of Burns, +'Poems', vol. i. pp. 233, 234.) + +Miss Pigot died at Southwell in 1866, her brother John (see letter of +August 9, 1806, p. 100, note 3) in 1871. Her brother Henry, whom Byron +used to call his grandson, died October 28, 1830, a captain in the 23rd +Native Infantry in the service of the East India Company. + +The following undated note (1810) from Mrs. Pigot to Mrs. Byron +illustrates the enthusiastic interest with which the Pigots followed +Byron's career:-- + + "Indeed, my dear Mrs. Byron, you have given me a very 'great treat' in + sending me 'English Bards' to look at; you know how very highly I + thought of the 'first' edition, and this is certainly much improved; + indeed, I do not think anybody but Lord Byron could (in these our + days) have produced such a work, for it has all the fire of ancient + genius. I have always been accustomed to tell you my thoughts most + sincerely, and I cannot say that I like that addition to the part + where 'Bowles' is mentioned; it wants that 'brilliant spirit' which + almost invariably accompanies Lord B.'s writings. Maurice, too, and + his granite weight of leaves, is in truth a heavy comparison. But I + turn with pleasure from these specks in the sun to notice 'Vice and + folly, Greville and Argyle;' it is 'most admirable': the 'same pen' + may 'equal', but I think it is not in the power of human abilities to + 'exceed' it. As to Lord Carlisle, I think he well deserves the Note + Lord B. has put in; I am 'very much' pleased with it, and the little + word 'Amen' at the end, gives a point 'indescribably good'. The whole + of the conclusion is excellent, and the Postscript I think must + entertain everybody except 'Jeffrey'. I hope the poor Bear is well; I + wish you could make him understand that he is 'immortalized', for, if + 'four-leg'd Bears' have any vanity, it would certainly delight him. + Walter Scott, too (I really do not mean to call him a Bear), will be + highly gratified: the compliment to him is very elegant: in short, I + look upon it as a most 'highly finished' work, and Lord Byron has + certainly taken the Palm from 'all our' Poets.... A good account of + yourself I assure you will always give the most sincere pleasure to my + dear Mrs. Byron's very affectionate friend, Margt. Pigot. Elizabeth + begs her compts."] + + +[Footnote 2: Henry Pigot. (See p. 33, note 1.)] + + +[Footnote 3: Miss Julia Leacroft, daughter of a neighbour, Mr. John +Leacroft. (See lines "To Lesbia," 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 41-43.) The +private theatricals in September, 1806 (see p. 117 [Letter 81], +[Foot]note 3 [4]), were held at Mr. Leacroft's house. Later, Captain +Leacroft expostulated with Byron on his attentions to his sister, and, +according to Moore, threatened to call him out. Byron was ready to meet +him; but afterwards, on consulting Becher, resolved never to go near the +house again.--'Prose and Verse of Thomas Moore', edited by Richard Herne +Shepherd (London, 1878), p. 420. (But see Letters 62, 63, 64.) ] + + +[Footnote 4: By Dibdin, set to music by Shield. (See Moore's 'Life', p. +33.) Byron's love for simple ballad music lasted throughout his life. As +a boy at Harrow, he was famous for the vigour with which he sang "This +Bottle's the Sun of our Table" at Mother Barnard's. He liked the Welsh +air "Mary Anne," sung by Miss Chaworth; the songs in 'The Duenna'; "When +Time who steals our Years away," which he sang with Miss Pigot; or +"Robin Adair," in which he was accompanied by Miss Hanson on her harp. + + "It is very odd," he said to Miss Pigot, "I sing much better to your + playing than to any one else's." + + "That is," she answered, "because I play to your singing." + +Moore ('Journal and Correspondence', vol. v. pp. 295, 296), speaking of +"Byron's chanting method of repeating poetry," says that "it is the men +who have the worst ears for music that 'sing' out poetry in this manner, +having no nice perception of the difference there ought to be between +animated reading and 'chant'." Rogers ('Table-Talk, etc.', pp. 224, 225) +expresses the same opinion, when he says, "I can discover from a poet's +versification whether or not he has an ear for music. To instance poets +of the present day:--from Bowles's and Moore's, I should know that they +had fine ears for music; from Southey's, Wordsworth's, and Byron's, that +they had no ears for it."] + + + + + +13.-To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.] + + Harrow-on-the-Hill, October 25th, 1804. + + + My dear Augusta,--In compliance with your wishes, as well as gratitude + for your affectionate letter, I proceed as soon as possible to answer + it; I am glad to hear that _any body_ gives a good account of me; but + from the quarter you mention, I should imagine it was exaggerated. + That you are unhappy, my dear Sister, makes me so also; were it in my + power to relieve your sorrows you would soon recover your spirits; as + it is, I sympathize better than you yourself expect. But really, after + all (pardon me my dear Sister), I feel a little inclined to laugh at + you, for love, in my humble opinion, is utter nonsense, a mere jargon + of compliments, romance, and deceit; now, for my part, had I fifty + mistresses, I should in the course of a fortnight, forget them all, + and, if by any chance I ever recollected one, should laugh at it as a + dream, and bless my stars, for delivering me from the hands of the + little mischievous Blind God. Can't you drive this Cousin [1] of ours + out of your pretty little head (for as to _hearts_ I think they are + out of the question), or if you are so far gone, why don't you give + old L'Harpagon [2] (I mean the General) the slip, and take a trip to + Scotland, you are now pretty near the Borders. Be sure to Remember me + to my formal Guardy Lord Carlisle, [3] whose magisterial presence I + have not been into for some years, nor have I any ambition to attain + so great an honour. As to your favourite Lady Gertrude, I don't + remember her; pray, is she handsome? I dare say she is, for although + they are a _disagreeable, formal, stiff_ Generation, yet they have by + no means plain _persons_, I remember Lady Cawdor was a sweet, pretty + woman; pray, does your sentimental Gertrude resemble her? I have heard + that the duchess of Rutland was handsome also, but we will say nothing + about her temper, as I hate Scandal. + + Adieu, my pretty Sister, forgive my levity, write soon, and God bless + you. + + I remain, your very affectionate Brother, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--I left my mother at Southwell, some time since, in a monstrous + pet with you for not writing. I am sorry to say the old lady and + myself don't agree like lambs in a meadow, but I believe it is all my + own fault, I am rather too fidgety, which my precise mama objects to, + we differ, then argue, and to my shame be it spoken fall out a + _little_, however after a storm comes a calm; what's become of our + aunt the amiable antiquated Sophia? [4] is she yet in the land of the + living, or does she sing psalms with the _Blessed_ in the other world. + Adieu. I am happy enough and Comfortable here. My friends are not + numerous, but select; among them I rank as the principal Lord + Delawarr, [5] who is very amiable and my particular friend; do you + know the family at all? Lady Delawarr is frequently in town, perhaps + you may have seen her; if she resembles her son she is the most + amiable woman in Europe. I have plenty of acquaintances, but I reckon + them as mere Blanks. Adieu, my dear Augusta. + + +[Footnote 1: Colonel George Leigh.] + + +[Footnote 2: General Leigh, father of the colonel. Both Harpagon and +Cléante ('L'Avare') wish to marry Mariane; but the miser prefers his +casket to the lady, who therefore marries Cléante. ] + + +[Footnote 3: Frederick Howard, fifth Earl of Carlisle (1748-1825), was, +on his mother's side, connected with the Byron family. The Hon. Isabella +Byron (1721-1795), daughter of the fourth Lord Byron, married, in 1742, +Henry, fourth Earl of Carlisle. She subsequently, after the death of +Lord Carlisle (1758), married, as her second husband, Sir William +Musgrave. She was a woman of considerable ability, and apparently, in +later life, of eccentric habits--a "recluse in pride and rags." She was +the reputed writer of some published poetry, and of 'Maxims addressed to +Young Ladies'. Some of these maxims might have been of use to her +grand-nephew: "Habituate yourself to that way of life most agreeable to +the person to whom you are united; be content in retirement, or with +society, in town, or country." Her 'Answer' to Mrs. Greville's ode on +'Indifference' has more of the neck-or-nothing temper of the Byrons:-- + + "Is that your wish, to lose all sense + In dull lethargic ease, + And wrapt in cold indifference, + But half be pleased or please? + ... + It never shall be my desire + To bear a heart unmov'd, + To feel by halves the gen'rous fire, + Or be but half belov'd. + + Let me drink deep the dang'rous cup, + In hopes the prize to gain, + Nor tamely give the pleasure up + For fear to share the pain. + + Give me, whatever I possess, + To know and feel it all; + When youth and love no more can bless, + Let death obey my call." + +Lady Carlisle's son, Frederick, who was educated at Eton and Cambridge, +succeeded his father as fifth Earl of Carlisle, in 1758, when he was ten +years old. After leaving Cambridge, he started on a continental tour +with two Eton friends--Lord FitzWilliam and Charles James Fox. A lively +letter-writer, his correspondence with his friend George Selwyn, while +in Italy, shows him to have been a young man of wit, feeling, and taste. +It is curious to notice that, at Rome, he singles out, like his cousin +in 'Childe Harold' or 'Manfred', as the most striking objects, the +general aspect of the "marbled wilderness", the moonlight view of the +amphitheatre, the Laocoon, the Belvedere Apollo, and the group of Niobe +and her daughters. One other taste he shared with Byron--he was a lover +of dogs, and "Rover" was his constant companion abroad. + +Lord Carlisle returned to England in 1769. Like Fox, he was a prodigious +dandy. They "once travelled from Paris to Lyons for the express purpose +of buying waistcoats; and during the whole journey they talked of +nothing else" ('Table-Talk of Samuel Rogers', pp. 73, 74). Already well +known in London society, Carlisle was a close friend of George Selwyn, a +familiar figure at White's and Brookes's, an inveterate gambler, an +adorer of Lady Sarah Bunbury, who, as Lady Sarah Lennox, had won the +heart of George III. The flirtation provoked from Lord Holland an +adaptation of 'Lydia, dic per omnes':-- + + "Sally, Sally, don't deny, + But, for God's sake, tell me why + You have flirted so, to spoil + That once lively youth, Carlisle? + He used to mount while it was dark; + Now he lies in bed till noon, + And, you not meeting in the park, + Thinks that he gets up too soon," etc. + +In 1770 Lord Carlisle married Lady Margaret Leveson Gower, a beautiful +and charming woman. "Everybody," writes Lord Holland to George Selwyn +(May 2, 1770), "says it is impossible not to admire Lady Carlisle." But +matrimony did not at once steady his character. For the next few +years--though in 1773 he published a volume of 'Poems'--his pursuits +were mainly those of a young man of fashion, and he impoverished himself +at the gaming-table. From 1777 onwards, however, his life took a more +serious turn. In that year he became Treasurer of the Household, and was +sworn a member of the Privy Council. In 1778 he was the chief of the +three commissioners sent out by Lord North to negotiate with the United +States. There he declined a challenge from Lafayette, provoked by +reflections on the French court and nation, which he had issued with his +fellow-commissioners in their political capacity. In 1779 he was +nominated Lord-Lieutenant of Yorkshire, and First Lord of Trade and +Plantations. He was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland from 1780 to 1782, and +held the post of Lord Privy Seal in the Duke of Portland's +administration of 1783. Till the outbreak of the French Revolutionary +wars, he was an opponent of Pitt; but after 1792 he consistently +supported the Government. + +Carlisle was a collector of pictures, statuary, and works of art. He was +also a writer of verse, tragedies, and pamphlets; but, in literature, +his admirable letters are his best claim to be remembered. One of his +two tragedies, 'The Father's Revenge' (1783), was praised by Walpole, +and received the guarded approval of Dr. Johnson. His published poetry +consisted of an ode on the death of Gray, verses on that of Lord Nelson, +"Lines for the Monument of a favourite Spaniel," an address to Sir +Joshua Reynolds, and translations from Dante. The first two poems +provoked Richard Tickell to write the 'Wreath of Fashion' (1780). "The +following lines," says Tickell, in his "Advertisement," were "occasioned +by the Author's having lately studied, with infinite attention, several +fashionable productions in the 'Sentimental' stile.... For example, A +Noble Author has lately published his works, which consist of 'three' +compositions: 'one' an Ode upon the death of Mr. Gray; the two others +upon the death of his Lordship's 'Spaniel'." + + "Here, placid 'Carlisle' breathes his gentle line, + Or haply, gen'rous 'Hare', re-echoes thine. + Soft flows the lay: as when, with tears, He paid + The last sad honours to his------Spaniel's shade! + And lo! he grasps the badge of wit, a wand; + He waves it thrice and 'Storer' is at hand." + +His contemporaries seem to have thought that his poetry, weak though it +was, was indebted to his Eton friends, "the Hare with many friends," and +Antony Storer. The latter's name is linked with that of Carlisle in +another satire, 'Pandolfo Attonito':-- + + "Fall'n though I am, I ne'er shall mourn, + Like the dark Peer on Storer's urn," + +where a note refers to "Antony Storer, formerly Member for Morpeth ('as +some persons' near Carlisle and Castle Howard 'may possibly recollect'), +a gentleman well known in the circles of fashion and polite literature." +Carlisle's name occurs in many of the satires of the day on literary +subjects. 'The Shade of Pope' (ii. 191, 192) says-- + + "Carlisle is lost with Gillies in surprize, + As Lysias charms soft Jersey's classic eyes;" + +and in the 'Pursuits of Literature' (Dialogue ii. line 234), a note to +the line-- + + "While lyric Carlisle purrs o'er love transformed," + +again associates his name with that of Lady Jersey. + +In 1799 Lord Carlisle was persuaded by Hanson to become Byron's +guardian, in order to facilitate legal proceedings for the recovery of +the Rochdale property, illegally sold by William, fifth Lord Byron. He +was introduced to his ward by Hanson, who took the boy to Grosvenor +Place, to see his guardian and consult Dr. Baillie in July, 1799. He +seemed anxious to befriend the boy; but Byron was eager, as Hanson +notes, to leave the house. When Mrs. Byron, in 1800, was anxious to +remove her son from Dr. Glennie's care, Carlisle exercised his +authority, and forbade the schoolmaster to give him up to his mother. He +probably, on this occasion, experienced Mrs. Byron's temper, for Augusta +Byron, writing to Hanson (November 18, 1804), says that he dreaded +"having any concern whatever with Mrs. Byron." Byron does not seem to +have met his guardian again till January, 1805, when Augusta Byron +writes to Hanson: + + "I hear from Lady Gertrude Howard that Lord Carlisle was 'very much' + pleased with my brother, and I am sure, from what he said to me at + Castle Howard, is disposed to show him all the kindness and attention + in his power. I know you are so partial to Byron and so much + interested in all that concerns him, that you will rejoice almost as + much as I do that his acquaintance with Lord C. is renewed. In the + mean time it is a great comfort for me to think that he has spent his + Holydays so comfortably and so much to his wishes. You will easily + believe that he is a 'very great favourite of mine', and I may add the + more I see and hear of him, the more I 'must' love and esteem him." + +It may be doubted whether Carlisle ever saw the dedication of 'Hours of +Idleness'. Augusta Byron, in a letter to Hanson of February 7, 1807, +says, + + "I return you my Brother's poems with many Thanks. Mrs. B. has had the + attention to send me 2 copies. I like some of them very much: but you + will laugh when I tell you I have never had courage to shew them to + Lord Carlisle for fear of his disapproving others." + +The years 1806-7, spent at Southwell, as his sister says, "in idleness +and ill humour with the whole World," were not the most creditable of +Byron's life, and Carlisle's efforts to make him return to Cambridge +failed. It is, moreover, certain that in 1809 Carlisle was ill; it is +also probable that at a time when the scandal of Mary Anne Clarke and +the Duke of York threatened to come before the House of Lords, he was +unwilling to connect himself in public with a cousin of whom he knew no +good, and of whose political views he was ignorant. These causes may +have combined to produce the coldly formal letter, in which he told +Byron the course of procedure to be adopted in taking his seat in the +House of Lords, and ignored the young man's wish that his cousin and +guardian should introduce him. (For Byron's attack upon Carlisle, and +his subsequent admission of having done him "some wrong," see 'English +Bards, and Scotch Reviewers', lines 723-740; and 'Childe Harold', Canto +III. stanzas xxix., xxx.) + +It is possible that the "paralytic puling" may have been suggested by +the "placid purring" of previous satirists. In March, 1814, his sister +Augusta was trying hard to persuade Byron, as he notes in his Diary, + + "to make it up with Carlisle. I have refused 'every' body else, but I + can't deny her anything, though I had as leif 'drink up Eisel--eat a + crocodile.'" + +Lord Carlisle had three daughters: the eldest, Lady Caroline Isabella +Howard, married, in 1789, John, first Lord Cawdor, and died in 1848; the +second, Lady Elizabeth, married, in 1799, John Henry, fifth Duke of +Rutland, and died in 1825; the third, Lady Gertrude, married, in 1806, +William Sloane Stanley, of Paultons, Hants, and died in 1870.] + + +[Footnote 4: No "Aunt Sophia" appears in the pedigree; but his +grandmother was Sophia Trevanion, who married, in 1748, the Hon. John +Byron, afterwards Admiral Byron. Mrs. Byron knew Dr. Johnson well, and +she and Miss Burney were the only two friends who, as Mrs. Piozzi (then +Mrs. Thrale) thought, might regret her departure from Streatham in 1782 +('Life and Writings of Mrs. Piozzi', vol. i. p. 171). "Mrs. Byron, who +really loves me," says Mrs. Piozzi ('ibid.', p. 125), "was disgusted at +Miss Burney's carriage to me." In August, 1820, Mrs. Piozzi writes to a +Miss Willoughby, to tell her + + "what wonders Lord Byron is come home to do, for I see his arrival in + the paper. His grandmother was my intimate friend, a Cornish lady, + Sophia Trevanion, wife to the Admiral, 'pour ses péchés', and we + called her Mrs. B_i_ron always, after the French fashion" + +('Life and Writings, etc.', vol. ii. pp. 456, 457)' Mrs. Byron +died at Bath in 1790.] + + +[Footnote 5: Lady Delawarr, widow of John Richard, fourth Earl Delawarr, +whom she married in 1783, died in 1826. Her only son, George John, fifth +earl, succeeded his father in 1795. He went from Harrow to Brasenose +College, Oxford; married, in 1813, Lady Elizabeth Sackville; was Lord +Chamberlain 1858-9; and died in 1869. He was the "Euryalus" of "Childish +Recollections" (see 'Poems', vol. i. p. 100; and lines "To George, Earl +of Delawarr," 'ibid.', p. 126).] + + + + + +14.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + Friday, November 2d, 1804. + + + This morning, my dear Augusta, I received your affectionate letter, + and it reached me at a time when I wanted consolation, not however of + your kind for I am not yet old enough or Goose enough to be in love; + no, my sorrows are of a different nature, though more calculated to + provoke risibility than excite compassion. You must know, Sister of + mine, that I am the most unlucky wight in Harrow, perhaps in + Christendom, and am no sooner out of one scrape than into another. And + to day, this very morning, I had a thundering Jobation from our Good + Doctor, [1] which deranged my _nervous system_, for at least five + minutes. But notwithstanding He and I now and then disagree, yet upon + the whole we are very good friends, for there is so much of the + Gentleman, so much mildness, and nothing of pedantry in his character, + that I cannot help liking him, and will remember his instructions with + gratitude as long as I live. He leaves Harrow soon, _apropos_, so do + I. This quitting will be a considerable loss to the school. He is the + best master we ever had, and at the same time respected and feared; + greatly will he be regretted by all who know him. You tell me you + don't know my friend L'd Delawarr; he is considerably younger than me, + but the most good tempered, amiable, clever fellow in the universe. To + all which he adds the quality (a good one in the eyes of women) of + being remarkably handsome, almost too much so for a boy. He is at + present very low in the school, not owing to his want of ability, but + to his years. I am nearly at the top of it; by the rules of our + Seminary he is under my power, but he is too goodnatured ever to + offend me, and I like him too well ever to exert my authority over + him. If ever you should meet, and chance to know him, take notice of + him on my account. + + You say that you shall write to the Dowager Soon; her address is at + Southwell, _that_ I need hardly inform you. Now, Augusta, I am going + to tell you a secret, perhaps I shall appear undutiful to you, but, + believe me, my affection for you is founded on a more firm basis. My + mother has lately behaved to me in such an eccentric manner, that so + far from feeling the affection of a Son, it is with difficulty I can + restrain my dislike. Not that I can complain of want of liberality; + no, She always supplies me with as much money as I can spend, and more + than most boys hope for or desire. But with all this she is so hasty, + so impatient, that I dread the approach of the holidays, more than + most boys do their return from them. In former days she spoilt me; now + she is altered to the contrary; for the most trifling thing, she + upbraids me in a most outrageous manner, and all our disputes have + been lately heightened by my one with that object of my cordial, + deliberate detestation, Lord Grey de Ruthyn. She wishes me to explain + my reasons for disliking him, which I will never do; would I do it to + any one, be assured you, my dear Augusta, would be the first who would + know them. She also insists on my being reconciled to him, and once + she let drop such an odd expression that I was half inclined to + believe the dowager was in love with him. But I hope not, for he is + the most disagreeable person (in my opinion) that exists. He called + once during my last vacation; she threatened, stormed, begged me to + make it up, "he himself loved me, and wished it;" but my reason was so + excellent--that neither had effect, nor would I speak or stay in the + same room, till he took his departure. No doubt this appears odd; but + was my reason known, which it never will be if I can help it, I should + be justified in my conduct. Now if I am to be tormented with her and + him in this style, I cannot submit to it. You, Augusta, are the only + relation I have who treats me as a friend; if you too desert me, I + have nobody I can love but Delawarr. If it was not for his sake, + Harrow would be a desert, and I should dislike staying at it. You + desire me to burn your epistles; indeed I cannot do that, but I will + take care that They shall be invisible. If you burn any of mine, I + shall be _monstrous angry_; take care of them till we meet. + + Delawarr [2] and myself are in a manner connected, for one of our + forefathers in Charles the 1st's time married into their family. + Hartington, [3] whom you enquire after, is on very good terms with me, + nothing more, he is of a soft milky disposition, and of a happy apathy + of temper which defies the softer emotions, and is insensible of ill + treatment; so much for him. Don't betray me to the Dowager. I should + like to know your Lady Gertrude, as you and her are so great Friends. + Adieu, my Sister, write. From + + [Signature, etc., cut out.] + + + +[Footnote 1: The Rev. Joseph Drury, D.D. (1750-1834), educated at +Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge, was appointed an +Assistant-master at Harrow before he was one and twenty. He was +Head-master from 1784 to 1805. In that year he retired, and till his +death in 1834 lived at Cockwood, in Devonshire, where he devoted himself +to farming. The following statement by Dr. Drury illustrates Byron's +respect for his Head-master ('Life', p. 20):-- + +"After my retreat from Harrow, I received from him two very affectionate +letters. In my occasional visits subsequently to London, when he had +fascinated the public with his productions, I demanded of him, why, as +in 'duty bound', he had sent none to me? 'Because,' said he, 'you are +the only man I never wish to read them;' but in a few moments, he added, +'What do you think of the 'Corsair'?'" + +Dr. Drury married Louisa Heath, sister of the Rev. Benjamin Heath, his +predecessor in the Head-mastership. They had four children, all of whom +have some connection with Byron's life. (1) Henry Joseph Drury +(1778-1841), educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge (Fellow), +Assistant-master at Harrow School, married (December 20, 1808) Ann +Caroline Tayler, and had a numerous family. Mrs. Drury's sister married +the Rev. F. Hodgson (see page 195 [Letter 102], [Foot]note 1). (2) +Benjamin Heath Drury (1782-1835), educated at Eton and King's College, +Cambridge (Fellow), Assistant-master at Eton. (3) Charles Drury +(1788-1869), educated at Harrow and Queen's College, Oxford (Fellow). +(4) Louisa Heath Drury (1787-1873) married John Herman Merivale. + +Dr. Drury's brother, Mark Drury, the Lower Master at Harrow, was the +candidate whom Byron supported for the Head-mastership.] + + +[Footnote 2: Thomas, third Lord Delawarr, Captain-general of all the +Colonies planted or to be planted in Virginia, died in 1618. His fourth +daughter, Cecilie, widow of Sir Francis Bindlose, married Sir John +Byron, created Lord Byron by Charles I. His fifth daughter, Lucy, +married Sir Robert Byron, brother to Lord Byron. But the first Lord +Byron left no heirs, and the title descended to his brother, Richard +Byron, from whom the poet was descended.] + + +[Footnote 3: William Spencer, Marquis of Hartington (1790-1858), +succeeded his father as sixth Duke of Devonshire in 1811, and died +unmarried. His sister, Georgiana Dorothy, married, in 1801, Lord +Carlisle's eldest son.] + + + + + +15.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + Harrow, Saturday, 11th Novr, 1804. + + + I thought, my dear Augusta, [1] that your opinion of my _meek mamma_ + would coincide with mine; Her temper is so variable, and, when + inflamed, so furious, that I dread our meeting; not but I dare say, + that I am troublesome enough, but I always endeavour to be as dutiful + as possible. She is so very strenuous, and so tormenting in her + entreaties and commands, with regard to my reconciliation, with that + detestable Lord G. [2] that I suppose she has a penchant for his + Lordship; but I am confident that he does not return it, for he rather + dislikes her than otherwise, at least as far as I can judge. But she + has an excellent opinion of her personal attractions, sinks her age a + good six years, avers that when I was born she was only eighteen, when + you, my dear Sister, know as well as I know that she was of age when + she married my father, and that I was not born for three years + afterwards. But vanity is the weakness of _your sex_,--and these are + mere foibles that I have related to you, and, provided she never + molested me, I should look upon them as follies very excusable in a + woman. + + But I am now coming to what must shock you, as much as it does me, + when she has occasion to lecture me (not very seldom you will think no + doubt) she does not do it in a manner that commands respect, and in an + impressive style. No! did she do that, I should amend my faults with + pleasure, and dread to offend a kind though just mother. But she flies + into a fit of phrenzy, upbraids me as if I was the most undutiful + wretch in existence, rakes up the ashes of my _father_, abuses him, + says I shall be a true Byrrone, which is the worst epithet she can + invent. Am I to call this woman mother? Because by nature's law she + has authority over me, am I to be trampled upon in this manner? am I + to be goaded with insult, loaded with obloquy, and suffer my feelings + to be outraged on the most trivial occasions? I owe her respect as a + Son, But I renounce her as a Friend. What an example does she shew me! + I hope in God I shall never follow it. I have not told you all, nor + can I; I respect you as a female, nor, although I ought to confide in + you as a Sister, will I shock you with the repetition of Scenes, which + you may judge of by the Sample I have given you, and which to all but + you are buried in oblivion. Would they were so in my mind! I am afraid + they never will. And can I, my dear Sister, look up to this mother, + with that respect, that affection I ought? Am I to be eternally + subjected to her caprice? I hope not--; indeed a few short years will + emancipate me from the Shackles I now wear, and then perhaps she will + govern her passion better than at present. + + You mistake me, if you think I dislike Lord Carlisle; I respect him, + and might like him did I know him better. For him too my mother has an + antipathy, why I know not. I am afraid he could be but of little use + to me, in separating me from her, which she would oppose with all her + might; but I dare say he would assist me if he could, so I take the + will for the Deed, and am obliged to him in exactly the same manner as + if he succeeded in his efforts. + + I am in great hopes, that at Christmas I shall be with Mr. Hanson + during the vacation, I shall do all I can to avoid a visit to my + mother wherever she is. It is the first duty of a parent, to impress + precepts of obedience in their children, but her method is so violent, + so capricious, that the patience of Job, the versatility of a member + of the House of Commons could not support it. I revere Dr. Drury much + more than I do her, yet he is never violent, never outrageous: I dread + offending him, not however through fear, but the respect I bear him + makes me unhappy when I am under his displeasure. My mother's + precepts, never convey instruction, never fix upon my mind; to be sure + they are calculated, to inculcate obedience, so are chains, and + tortures, but though they may restrain for a time, the mind revolts + from such treatment. Not that Mrs. Byron ever injures my _sacred_ + person. I am rather too old for that, but her words are of that rough + texture, which offend more than personal ill usage. "A talkative woman + is like an Adder's tongue," so says one of the prophets, but which I + can't tell, and very likely you don't wish to know, but he was a true + one whoever he was. + + The postage of your letters, My dear Augusta, don't fall upon me; but + if they did, it would make no difference, for I am Generally in cash, + and should think the trifle I paid for your epistles the best laid out + I ever spent in my life. Write Soon. Remember me to Lord Carlisle, + and, believe me, I ever am + + Your affectionate Brother and Friend, + + BYRONE. + + + +[Footnote 1: In consequence of this letter, Augusta Byron wrote as +follows to Hanson, and Byron spent the Christmas holidays of 1804 with +his solicitor:-- + + "Castle Howard, Nov. 18, 1804. + + My Dear Sir,--I am afraid you will think I presume almost too much + upon the kind permission you have so often given me of applying to you + about my Brother's concerns. The reason that induces me now to do so + is his having lately written me several Letters containing the most + extraordinary accounts of his Mother's conduct towards him and + complaints of the uncomfortable Situation he is in during the Holidays + when with her. All this you will easily imagine has more _vexed_ than + _surprized_ me. I am quite unhappy about him, and wish I could in any + way remedy the grievances he confides to me. I wished, as the most + likely means of doing this, to mention the subject to Lord Carlisle, + who has always expressed the greatest interest about Byron and also + shewn me the greatest Kindness. Finding that he did _not object_ to + it, I yesterday had some conversation with Lord C. on the subject, and + it is partly by his advice and wishes that I trouble you with this + Letter. He authorized me to tell you that, if you would allow my + Brother to spend the next vacation with you (which _he_ seems + _strongly_ to wish), that it would put it into his power to see more + of him and shew him more attention than he has hitherto, being + withheld from doing so from the dread of having any concern whatever + with Mrs. Byron. + + I need hardly add that it is almost MY first wish that this should be + accomplished. I am sure you are of my opinion that it is now of the + greatest consequence to Byron to secure the friendship of Lord C., the + only relation he has who possesses the _Will_ and _power_ to be of use + to him. I think the Letters he writes me _quite perfect_ and he does + not express one sentiment or idea I should wish different; he tells me + he is soon to leave Harrow, but does not say where he is to go. I + conclude to Oxford or Cambridge. Pray be so good as to write me a few + lines on this subject. + + I trust entirely to the interest and friendship you have ever so + kindly expressed for my Brother, for _my Forgiveness_. Of course you + will not mention to Mrs. B. having heard from me, as she would only + accuse me of wishing to estrange her Son from her, which would be very + far from being the case further than his Happiness and comfort are + concerned in it. My opinion is that _as_ they cannot agree, they had + better be separated, for such eternal Scenes of wrangling are enough + to spoil the very best temper and Disposition in the universe. I shall + hope to hear from you soon, my dear sir, and remain, Most sincerely + yours, AUGUSTA BYRON."] + + +[Footnote 2: Lord Grey de Ruthyn. (See p. 23, note 1.)] + + + + + +16.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.] + + Harrow-on-the-Hill, Novr., Saturday, 17th, 1804. + + + I am glad to hear, My dear Sister, that you like Castle Howard so + well, I have no doubt what you say is true and that Lord C. is much + more amiable than he has been represented to me. Never having been + much with him and always hearing him reviled, it was hardly possible I + should have conceived a very _great friendship_ for his L'dship. My + mother, you inform me, commends my _amiable disposition_ and _good + understanding;_ if she does this to you, it is a great deal more than + I ever hear myself, for the one or the other is always found fault + with, and I am told to copy the _excellent pattern_ which I see before + me in _herself._ You have got an invitation too, you may accept it if + you please, but if you value your own comfort, and like a pleasant + situation, I advise you to avoid Southwell.--I thank you, My dear + Augusta, for your readiness to assist me, and will in some manner + avail myself of it; I do not however wish to be separated from _her_ + entirely, but not to be so much with her as I hitherto have been, for + I do believe she likes me; she manifests that in many instances, + particularly with regard to money, which I never want, and have as + much as I desire. But her conduct is so strange, her caprices so + impossible to be complied with, her passions so outrageous, that the + evil quite overbalances her _agreeable qualities._ Amongst other + things I forgot to mention a most _ungovernable appetite_ for Scandal, + which she never can govern, and employs most of her time abroad, in + displaying the faults, and censuring the foibles, of her acquaintance; + therefore I do not wonder, that my precious Aunt, comes in for her + share of encomiums; This however is nothing to what happens when my + conduct admits of animadversion; "then comes the tug of war." My whole + family from the conquest are upbraided! myself abused, and I am told + that what little accomplishments I possess either in mind or body are + derived from her and _her alone._ + + When I leave Harrow I know not; that depends on her nod; I like it + very well. The master Dr. Drury, is the most amiable _clergyman_ I + ever knew; he unites the Gentleman with the Scholar, without + affectation or pedantry, what little I have learnt I owe to him alone, + nor is it his fault that it was not more. I shall always remember his + instructions with Gratitude, and cherish a hope that it may one day be + in my power to repay the numerous obligations, I am under; to him or + some of his family. + + Our holidays come on in about a fortnight. I however have not + mentioned that to my mother, nor do I intend it; but if I can, I shall + contrive to evade going to Southwell. Depend upon it I will not + approach her for some time to come if It is in my power to avoid it, + but she must not know, that it is my wish to be absent. I hope you + will excuse my sending so short a letter, but the Bell has just rung + to summon us together. Write Soon, and believe me, Ever your + affectionate Brother, BYRON. + + I am afraid you will have some difficulty in decyphering my epistles, + but _that_ I know you will excuse. Adieu. Remember me to Lord + Carlisle. + + + + + +17.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.] Harrow-on-the-Hill, Novr. 21st, + 1804. + + + MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--This morning I received your by no means + unwelcome epistle, and thinking it demands an immediate answer, once + more take up my pen to employ it in your service. There is no + necessity for my mother to know anything of my intentions, till the + time approaches; and when it does come, Mr. H. has only to write her a + note saying, that, as I could not accept the invitation he gave me + last holidays, he imagined I might do it now; to this she surely can + make no objections; but, if she entertained the slightest idea of my + making any complaint of her very _lenient_ treatment, the scene that + would ensue beggars all power of description. You may have some little + idea of it, from what I have told you, and what you yourself know. + + I wrote to you the other day; but you make no mention of receiving my + letter in yours of the 18th inst. It is however of little importance, + containing merely a recapitulation of circumstances which I have + before detailed at full length. + + To Lord Carlisle make my warmest acknowledgements. I feel more + gratitude, than my feelings can well express; I am truly obliged to + him for his endeavours, and am perfectly satisfied with your + explanation of his reserve, though I was hitherto afraid it might + proceed from personal dislike. I have some idea that I leave Harrow + these holidays. The Dr., whose character I gave you in my last, leaves + the mastership at Easter. Who his successor may be I know not, but he + will not be a better I am confident. You inform me that you intend to + visit my mother, then you will have an opportunity of seeing what I + have described, and hearing a great _deal of Scandal_. She does not + trouble me much with epistolary communications; when I do receive + them, they are very concise, and much to the purpose. However I will + do her the justice to say that she behaves, or rather means, well, and + is in some respects very kind, though her manners are not the most + conciliating. She likewise expresses a great deal of affection for + you, but disapproves your marriage, wishes to know my opinion of it, + and complains that you are negligent and do not write to her or care + about her. How far her opinion of your love for her is well grounded, + you best know. I again request you will return my sincere thanks to + Lord Carlisle, and for the future I shall consider him as more my + friend than I have hitherto been taught to think. I have more reasons + than one, to wish to avoid going to Notts, for there I should be + obliged to associate with Lord G. whom I detest, his manners being + unlike those of a Gentleman, and the information to be derived from + him but little except about shooting, which I do not intend to devote + my life to. Besides, I have a particular reason for not liking him. + Pray write to me soon. Adieu, my Dear Augusta. + + I remain, your affectionate Brother, BYRON. + + + + + +18.-To John Hanson [1]. + + + Saturday, Dec. 1st, 1804. + + + MY DEAR SIR,--Our vacation commences on the 5th of this Month, when I + propose to myself the pleasure of spending the Holidays at your House, + if it is not too great an Inconvenience. I tell you fairly, that at + Southwell I should have nothing in the World to do, but play at cards + and listen to the edifying Conversation of old Maids, two things which + do not at all suit my inclinations. In my Mother's last Letter I find + that my poney and pointers are not yet procured, and that Lord Grey is + still at Newstead. The former I should be very dull at such a place as + Southwell without; the latter is still more disagreeable to be with. I + presume he goes on in the old way,--quarrelling with the farmers, and + stretching his judicial powers (he being now in the commission) to the + utmost, becoming a torment to himself, and a pest to all around + him.--I am glad you approve of my Gun, feeling myself happy, that it + has been tried by so _distinguished_ a _Sportsman_. + + I hope your Campaigns against the Partridges and the rest of the + feathered Tribe have been attended with no serious + Consequences--_trifling accidents_ such as the top of a few fingers + and a Thumb, you _Gentlemen_ of the _city_ being used to, of course + occasion no interruption to your field sports. + + Your Accommodation I have no doubt I shall be perfectly satisfied + with, only do exterminate that _vile Generation_ of _Bugs_ which + nearly ate me up the last Time I _sojourned_ at your House. After + undergoing the Purgatory of Harrow _board_ and _Lodging_ for three + Months I shall not be _particular_ or exorbitant in my demands. + + Pray give my best Compliments to Mrs. Hanson and the now + _quilldriving_ Hargreaves [2]. Till I see you, I remain, Yours, etc., + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Byron spent the Christmas holidays of 1804-5 with the +Hansons. He gave Hanson to understand that it was his wish to leave the +school, and that Dr. Drury agreed with him in the decision. Hanson, +after consulting Lord Carlisle, wrote to Drury, urging that Byron was +too young to leave the school. Drury's reply, dated December 29, 1804, +gave a different colour to the matter. + + "Your letter," he writes, "supposes that Lord Byron was desirous to + leave school, and that I acquiesced in his Wish: but I must do him the + Justice to observe that _the wish originated with me._ During his last + residence at Harrow his conduct gave me much trouble and uneasiness; + and as two of his Associates were to leave me at Christmas, I + certainly suggested to him _my wish_ that he might be placed under the + care of some private Tutor previously to his admission to either of + the Universities. This I did no less with a view to the forming of his + mind and manners, than to my own comfort; and I am fully convinced + that if such a situation can be procured for his Lordship, it will be + much more advantageous for him than a longer residence at school, + where his animal spirits and want of judgment may induce him to do + wrong, whilst his age and person must prevent his Instructors from + treating him in some respects as a schoolboy. If we part now, we may + entertain affectionate dispositions towards each other, and his + Lordship will have left the school with credit; as my dissatisfactions + were expressed to him only privately, and in such a manner as not to + affect his public situation in the school." + +Finally, however, Dr. Drury, yielding to the appeal of Lord Carlisle and +Hanson, allowed the boy to return to Harrow, and Byron remained at the +school till July, 1805, the last three months being passed under the +rule of Dr. Butler.] + + +[Footnote 2: Hargreaves Hanson, second son of John Hanson, had just left +Harrow, and was articled as a pupil in his father's business. He died in +1811, at the age of 23.] + + + + + +19.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + 6, Chancery Lane, Wednesday, 30th Jany., 1805. + + I have delayed writing to you so long, My dearest Augusta, from + ignorance of your residence, not knowing whether you _graced_ Castle + Howard, or Kireton with your _presence._ The instant Mr. H[anson] + informed me where you was, I prepared to address you, and you have but + just forestalled my intention. And now, I scarcely know what to begin + with; I have so many things, to tell you. I wish to God, that we were + together, for It is impossible that I can confine all I have got to + say in an epistle, without I was to follow your example, and fill + eleven pages, as I was informed, by my _proficiency_ in _the art of + magic,_ that you sometimes send that _number_ to _Lady Gertrude._ + + To begin with an article of _grand importance;_ I on Saturday dined + with Lord Carlisle, and on further acquaintance I like them all very + much. Amongst other circumstances, I heard of your _boldness_ as a + _Rider,_ especially one anecdote about your horse carrying you into + the stable _perforce._ I should have admired amazingly to have seen + your progress, provided you met with no accident. I hope you recollect + the circumstance, and know what I allude to; else, you may think that + I am _soaring_ into the _Regions of Romance._ I wish you to + corroborate my account in your next, and inform me whether my + information was correct. + + I think your friend Lady G. is a sweet girl. If your taste in _love_, + is as good as it is in _friendship_, I shall think you a _very + discerning little Gentlewoman_. His Lordship too improves upon further + acquaintance, Her Ladyship I always liked, but of the Junior part of + the family Frederick [1] is my favourite. I believe with regard to my + future destination, that I return to Harrow until June, and then I'm + off for the university. Could I have found Room there, I was to have + gone immediately. + + I have contrived to pass the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, to + whom I am greatly obliged for their hospitality. You are now within a + days journey of my _amiable Mama_. If you wish your spirits _raised_, + or rather _roused_, I would recommend you to pass a week or two with + her. However I daresay she would behave very well to _you_, for you do + not know her disposition so well as I do. I return you, my dear Girl, + a thousand thanks for hinting to Mr. H. and Lord C. my uncomfortable + situation, I shall always remember it with gratitude, as a most + _essential service_. I rather think that, if you were any time with my + mother, she would bore you about your marriage which she _disapproves_ + of, as much for the sake of finding fault as any thing, for that is + her favourite amusement. At any rate she would be very inquisitive, + for she was always tormenting me about it, and, if you told her any + thing, she might very possibly divulge it; I therefore advise you, + _when you see her_ to say nothing, or as little, about it, as you can + help. If you make haste, you can answer this _well written_ epistle by + return of post, for I wish again to hear from you immediately; you + need not fill _eleven pages, nine_ will be sufficient; but whether it + contains nine pages or nine lines, it will always be most welcome, my + beloved Sister, to Your affectionate Brother and Friend, BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: The Hon. Frederick Howard, third son of Lord Carlisle, the +"young, gallant Howard" of _Childe Harold_ (Canto III. stanzas xxix, +xxx; see Byron's note), was killed at Waterloo. "The best of his race," +says Byron, in a letter to Moore, July 7, 1815.] + + + + + +20.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [London], Thursday, 4th April, 1805. + + MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--You certainly have excellent reasons for + complaint against my want of punctuality in our correspondence; but, + as it does not proceed from want of affection, but an idle + disposition, you will, I hope, accept my excuses. I am afraid, + however, that when I shall take up my pen, you will not be greatly + _edified_ or _amused_, especially at present, since, I sit down in + very bad spirits, out of humour with myself, and all the world, except + _you_. I left Harrow yesterday, and am now at Mr. Hanson's till Sunday + morning, when I depart for Nottinghamshire, to pay a visit to my + _mother_, with whom I shall remain for a week or two, when I return to + town, and from thence to Harrow, until July, when I take my departure + for the university, but which I am as yet undecided. Mr. H. Recommends + Cambridge; Ld. Carlisle allows me to chuse for myself, and I must own + I prefer Oxford. But, I am not violently bent upon it, and whichever + is determined upon will meet with my concurrence.--This is the outline + of my plans for the next 6 months. + + I am Glad that you are Going to pay his _Lordship_ a visit, as I shall + have an opportunity of seeing you on my return to town, a pleasure, + which, as I have been long debarred of it, will be doubly felt after + so long a separation. My visit to the Dowager does not promise me all + the happiness I could wish; however, it must be gone through, as it is + some time since I have seen her. It shall be as short as possible. I + shall expect to find a letter from you, when I come down, as I wish to + know when you go to town, and how long you remain there. If you stay + till The middle of next month, you may have an opportunity of hearing + me speak, as the first day of our _Harrow orations_ occurs in May. My + friend Delawarr [1], (as you observed) danced with the little + Princess, nor did I in the least _envy_ him the honour. I presume you + have heard That Dr. Drury leaves Harrow this Easter, and That, as a + memorial of our Gratitude for his long services, The scholars + presented him with plate to the amount of 330 Guineas. + + I hope you will excuse this _Hypocondriac_ epistle, as I never was in + such low spirits in my life. Adieu, my Dearest Sister, and believe me, + + Your ever affectionate though negligent Brother, BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: On February 25, 1805, their Majesties gave a magnificent +"house-warming" at Windsor Castle. + + "The expenditure," says the 'Gentleman's Magazine' for 1805 (part + i. pp. 262-264), "cannot have cost less than £50,000. The floor of the + ball-room, instead of being chalked, was painted with most fanciful + and appropriate devices by an eminent artist." The "little Princess" + Charlotte of Wales, we are told, left the Castle at half-past nine.] + + + + + +21.--To Hargreaves Hanson. + + + Burgage Manor, Southwell, Notts, 15 April, 1805. + + + DEAR HARGREAVES,--As I have been unable to return to Town with your + father, I must request, that you will take care of my Books, and a + parcel which I expect from my Taylor's, and, as I understand you are + going to pay Farleigh a visit, I would be obliged to you to leave them + under the care of one of the Clerks, or a Servant, who may inform me + where to find them. I shall be in Town on Wednesday the 24th at + furthest, when I shall not hope to see you, or wish it; not but what I + should be glad of your _entertaining and loquacious Society_, but as I + think you will be more amused at Farleigh, it would be selfish in me + to wish that you should forego the pleasures of contemplating _pigs_, + _poultry_, _pork_, _pease_, and _potatoes_ together, with other Rural + Delights, for my Company. Much pleasure may you find in your excursion + and I dare say, when you have exchanged _pleadings_ for _ploughshares_ + and _fleecing clients_ for _feeding flocks_, you will be in no hurry + to resume your Law Functions. + + Remember me to your Father and Mother and the Juniors, and if you + should find it convenient to dispatch a note in answer to this + epistle, it will afford great pleasure to + + Yours very sincerely and affectionately, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--It is hardly necessary to inform you that I am heartily tired of + Southwell, for I am at this minute experiencing those delights which I + have recapitulated to you and which are more entertaining to be + _talked_ of at a distance than enjoyed at Home. I allude to the + Eloquence of a _near relation_ of mine, which is as remarkable as your + _taciturnity_. + + + + + +22.--To Hargreaves Hanson. + + + Burgage Manor, April 20, 1805. + + + Dear Hargreaves,--Dr. Butler, [1] our new Master, has thought proper + to postpone our Meeting till the 8th of May, which obliges me to delay + my return to Town for one week, so that instead of Wednesday the 24th + I shall not arrive in London till the 1st of May, on which Day (If I + live) I shall certainly be in town, where I hope to have the pleasure + of seeing you. I shall remain with you only a week, as we are all to + return to the very day, on account of the prolongation of our + Holidays. However, if you shall previous to that period take a _jaunt_ + into Hants, I beg you will leave my _valuables_, etc., etc., in the + care of one of the _Gentlemen_ of your office, as that _Razor faced + Villain_, James, might perhaps take the Liberty of walking off with a + suit. I have heard several times from Tattersall [2] and it is very + probable we may see him on my return. I beg you will excuse this short + epistle as my time is at present rather taken up, and Believe Me, + + Yours very sincerely, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: The Rev. George Butler (1774-1853), who was Senior Wrangler +(1794), succeeded Dr. Drury as Head-master of Harrow School in April, +1805. He was then Fellow, tutor, and classical lecturer at Sydney Sussex +College, Cambridge. From affection to Dr. Drury, Byron supported the +candidature of his brother, Mark Drury, and avenged himself on Butler +for the defeat of his candidate by the lines on "Pomposus" (see 'Poems', +vol. i. pp. 16, 17, "On a Change of Masters," etc.; and pp. 84-106, +"Childish Recollections"). At a later period he became reconciled to +Butler, who knew the Continent well, was an excellent linguist, and gave +him valuable advice for his foreign tour in 1809-11. Butler resigned the +Head-mastership of Harrow in April, 1824, and retired to a country +living. In 1842 he was appointed to the Deanery of Peterborough, where +he died in 1853.] + + +[Footnote 2: John Cecil Tattersall entered Harrow in May, 1801. He was +the "Davus" of "Childish Recollections" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 97, 98, +and notes). He went from Harrow to Christ Church, Oxford, took orders, +and died December 8, 1812.] + + + + + +23.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.] Burgage Manor, + April 23d, 1805. + + + MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--I presume by this time, that you are safely + arrived at the Earl's, at least I _hope_ so; nor shall I feel myself + perfectly easy, till I have the pleasure of hearing from yourself of + your safety. I myself shall set out for town this day (Tuesday) week, + and intend waiting upon you on Thursday at farthest; in the mean time + I must console myself as well as I can; and I am sure, no unhappy + mortal ever required much more consolation than I do at present. You + as well as myself know the _sweet_ and _amiable_ temper of a certain + personage to whom I am nearly related; of _course_, the pleasure I + have enjoyed during my vacation, (although it has been greater than I + expected) yet has not been so _superabundant_ as to make me wish to + stay a day longer than I can avoid. However, notwithstanding the + dullness of the place, and certain _unpleasant things_ that occur In a + family not a hundred miles distant from Southwell, I contrived to pass + my time in peace, till to day, when unhappily, In a most inadvertent + manner, I said that Southwell was not _peculiarly_ to my taste; but + however, I merely expressed this in common conversation, without + speaking disrespectfully of the _sweet_ town; (which, between you and + I, I wish was swallowed up by an earthquake, provided my _Eloquent + mother_ was not in it). No sooner had the unlucky sentence, which I + believe was prompted by my evil Genius, escaped my lips, than I was + treated with an Oration in the _ancient style_, which I have often so + _pathetically_ described to you, unequalled by any thing of _modern_ + or _antique_ date; nay the _Philippics_ against Lord Melville [1] were + nothing to it; one would really Imagine, to have heard the _Good + Lady_, that I was a most _treasonable culprit_, but thank St. Peter, + after undergoing this _Purgatory_ for the last hour, it is at length + blown over, and I have sat down under these _pleasing impressions_ to + address you, so that I am afraid my epistle will not be the most + entertaining. I assure you upon my _honour_, jesting apart, I have + never been so _scurrilously_, and _violently_ abused by any person, as + by that woman, whom I think I am to call mother, by that being who + gave me birth, to whom I ought to look up with veneration and respect, + but whom I am sorry I cannot love or admire. Within one little hour, I + have not only heard myself, but have heard my _whole family_, by the + father's side, _stigmatized_ in terms that the _blackest malevolence_ + would perhaps shrink from, and that too in words you would be shocked + to hear. Such, Augusta, such is my mother; _my mother!_ I disclaim her + from this time, and although I cannot help treating her with respect, + I cannot reverence, as I ought to do, that parent who by her + outrageous conduct forfeits all title to filial affection. To you, + Augusta, I must look up, as my nearest relation, to you I must confide + what I cannot mention to others, and I am sure you will pity me; but I + entreat you to keep this a secret, nor expose that unhappy failing of + this woman, which I must bear with patience. I would be very sorry to + have it discovered, as I have only one week more, for the present. In + the mean time you may write to me with the greatest safety, as she + would not open any of my letters, even from you. I entreat then that + you will favour me with an answer to this. I hope however to have the + pleasure of seeing you on the day appointed, but If you could contrive + any way that I may avoid being asked to dinner by L'd C. I would be + obliged to you, as I hate strangers. Adieu, my Beloved Sister, + + I remain ever yours, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Henry Dundas (1742-1811), created Viscount Melville in +1802, Lord Advocate (1775-83), made himself useful to Lord North's +Government as a shrewd, hard-working man of business, a ready +speaker--in broad Scotch, and a consummate election agent. For twenty +years he was the right-hand man of Pitt-- + + "Too proud from pilfered greatness to descend, + Too humble not to call Dundas his friend." + +Not only was he Pitt's political colleague, but in private life his boon +companion. A well-known epigram commemorates in a dialogue their +convivial habits-- + + 'Pitt'. "I cannot see the Speaker, Hal; can you?" + 'Dundas'. "Not see the Speaker, Billy? I see two." + +Melville, for a long series of years, held important political posts. He +was Treasurer of the Navy (1782-1800); member of the Board of Control +for India (1784-1802) and President (1790-1802); Home Secretary +(1791-94); Secretary of War (1794-1801); First Lord of the Admiralty +(1804-5). In 1802 a Commission had been appointed to examine into the +accounts of the naval department for the past twenty years, and, in +consequence of their tenth report, a series of resolutions were moved in +the House of Commons (April, 1805) against Melville. The voting was +even--216 for and 216 against; the resolutions were carried by the +casting vote of Speaker Abbott. + + "Pitt was overcome; his friend was ruined. At the sound of the + Speaker's voice, the Prime Minister crushed his hat over his brows to + hide the tears that poured over his cheeks: he pushed in haste out of + the House. Some of his opponents, I am ashamed to say, thrust + themselves near, 'to see how Billy took it.'" + +(Mark Boyd's 'Reminiscences of Fifty Years', p. 404.) Melville, who was +heard at the bar of the House of Commons in his own defence, was +impeached before the House of Lords (June 26, 1805) of high crimes and +misdemeanours. At the close of the proceedings, which began in +Westminster Hall on April 29, 1806, Melville was acquitted on all the +charges. Whitbread took the leading part in the impeachment. See 'All +the Talents: a Satirical Poem', by Polypus (E. S. Barrett)-- + + "Rough as his porter, bitter as his barm, + He sacrificed his fame to M--lv--lle's harm." + + Dialogue ii.] + + + + + +24.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.] Burgage Manor, + Southwell, Friday, April 25th, 1805. + + + My dearest Augusta,--Thank God, I believe I shall be in town on + Wednesday next, and at last relieved from those _agreeable + amusements_, I described to you in my last. I return you and Lady G. + many thanks for your _benediction_, nor do I doubt its efficacy as it + is bestowed by _two such Angelic beings_; but as I am afraid my + _profane blessing_ would but expedite your road to _Purgatory_, + instead of _Salvation_, you must be content with my best wishes in + return, since the _unhallowed adjurations_ of a mere mortal would be + of no effect. You say, you are sick of the Installation; [1] and that + L'd C. was not present; I however saw his name in the _Morning Post_, + as one of the Knights Companions. I indeed expected that _you_ would + have been present at the Ceremony. + + I have seen this young Roscius [2] several times at the hazard of my + life, from the _affectionate squeezes_ of the surrounding crowd. I + think him tolerable in some characters, but by no means equal to the + ridiculous praises showered upon him by _John Bull_. + + I am afraid that my stay in town ceases after the 10th. I should not + continue it so long, as we meet on the 8th at Harrow, But, I remain on + purpose to hear our _Sapient_ and _noble Legislators_ of Both Houses + debate on the Catholic Question, [3] as I have no doubt there will be + many _nonsensical_, and some _Clever_ things said on the occasion. I + am extremely glad that you _sport_ an audience Chamber for the Benefit + of your _modest_ visitors, amongst whom I have the _honour_ to reckon + myself: I shall certainly be most happy again to see you, + notwithstanding my _wise_ and _Good_ mother (who is at this minute + thundering against Somebody or other below in the Dining Room), has + interdicted my visiting at his _Lordship's_ house, with the threat of + her malediction, in case of disobedience, as she says he has behaved + very ill to her; the truth of this I much doubt, nor should the orders + of all the mothers (especially such mothers) in the world, prevent me + from seeing my Beloved Sister after so long an Absence. I beg you will + forgive this _well written epistle_, for I write in a great Hurry, + and, believe me, with the greatest impatience again to behold you, + your + + Attached Brother and [Friend, + + BYRON]. + + P.S.--By the bye Lady G. ought not to complain of your writing a + _decent_ long letter to me, since I remember your _11 Pages_ to her, + at which I did not make the least complaint, but submitted like a + _meek Lamb_ to the innovation of my privileges, for nobody _ought_ to + have had so long an epistle but my _most excellent Self_. + + + +[Footnote 1: On St. George's Day, April 23, 1805, seven Knights were +installed at Windsor as Knights of the Garter, each in turn being +invested with the surcoat, girdle, and sword. The new Knights were the +Dukes of Rutland and Beaufort; the Marquis of Abercorn; the Earls of +Chesterfield, Pembroke, and Winchilsea; and, by proxy, the Earl of +Hardwicke. + +Lady Louisa Strangways, writing to her sister, Lady Harriet Frampton, on +April 24, 1805 ('Journal of Mary Frampton', p. 129), says, "I was full +dressed for seventeen hours yesterday, and sat in one spot for seven, +which is enough to tire any one who enjoyed what was going on, which I +did not. I saw them walk to St. George's Chapel, which was the best +part, as it did not last long ... Their dresses were very magnificent. +The Knights, before they were installed, were in white and silver, like +the old pictures of Henry VIII., and afterwards they had a purple mantle +put on. They had immense plumes of ostrich feathers, with a heron's +feather in the middle."] + + +[Footnote 2: William Henry West Betty (1791-1874), the "Young Roscius," +made his first appearance on the stage at Belfast, in 1803, in the part +of "Osman," in Hill's 'Zara;' and on December 1, 1804, at Covent Garden, +as "Selim" disguised as "Achmet," in Browne's 'Barbarossa'. In the +winter season of 1804-5, when he appeared at Covent Garden and Drury +Lane, such crowds collected to see him, that the military were called +out to preserve order. Leslie ('Autobiographical Recollections', vol. i. +p. 218) speaks of him as a boy "of handsome features and graceful +manners, with a charming voice." Fox, who saw him in 'Hamlet', said, +"This is finer than Garrick" ('Table-Talk of Samuel Rogers', p. 88). +Northcote ('Conversations', p. 23) spoke of his acting as "a beautiful +effusion of natural sensibility; and then that graceful play of the +limbs in youth gave such an advantage over every one about him." "Young +Roscius's premature powers," writes Mrs. Piozzi, February 21, 1805, +"attract universal attention, and I suppose that if less than an angel +had told 'his' parents that a bulletin of that child's health should be +necessary to quiet the anxiety of a metropolis for his safety, they +would not have believed the prediction" ('Life and Writings of Mrs. +Piozzi', vol. ii. p. 263). In society he was the universal topic of +conversation, and he commanded a salary of £50 a night, at a time when +John Kemble was paid £37 16's'. a week ('Life of Frederick Reynolds', +vol. ii. p. 364). + + + "When," writes Mrs. Byron of her son to Hanson (December 8, 1804), "he + goes to see the Young Roscius, I hope he will take care of himself in + the crowd, and not go alone." + +Betty lost his attractiveness with the growth of his beard. Byron's +opinion of the merits of the youthful prodigy became that of the general +public; but not till the actor had made a large fortune. He retired from +the stage in 1824.] + + +[Footnote 3: On March 25, 1805, petitions were presented by Lord +Grenville in the House of Lords, and Fox in the House of Commons, +calling the attention of the country to the claims of the Roman +Catholics, and praying their relief from their disabilities, civil, +naval, and military. On Friday, May 10, Lord Grenville moved, in the +Upper House, for a committee of the whole House to consider the +petition. At six o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, May 14, the motion +was negatived by a division of 178 against 49. On Monday, May 13, Fox, +in the Lower House, made a similar motion, which was negatived, at five +o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, May 15, by a division of 336 +against 126. Byron, on April 21, 1812, in the second of his three +Parliamentary speeches, supported the relief of the Roman Catholics.] + + + + + +25.--To John Hanson. + + + Harrow-on-the-Hill, 11 May, 1805. + + + Dear Sir,--As you promised to cash my Draft on the Day that I left + your house, and as you was only prevented by the Bankers being shut + up, I will be very much obliged to you to _give the ready_ to this old + Girl, Mother Barnard, [1] who will either present herself or send a + Messenger, as she demurs on its being not payable till the 25th of + June. Believe me, Sir, by doing this you will greatly oblige + + Yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote: 1. Mother Barnard was the keeper of the "tuck-shop" at +Harrow.] + + + + + +26.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.] + + [Harrow, Wednesday, June 5, 1805.] + + + My Dearest Augusta,--At last you have a _decent_ specimen of the + dowager's talents for epistles in the _furioso_ style. You are now + freed from the _shackles_ of her correspondence, and when I revisit + her, I shall be bored with long stories of your _ingratitude_, etc., + etc. She is as I have before declared certainly mad (to say she was in + her senses, would be condemning her as a Criminal), her conduct is a + _happy_ compound of derangement and Folly. I had the other day an + epistle from her; not a word was mentioned about you, but I had some + of the usual _compliments_ on my own account. I am now about to answer + her letter, though I shall scarcely have patience, to treat her with + civility, far less with affection, that was almost over before, and + this has given the finishing stroke to _filial_, which now gives way + to _fraternal_ duty. Believe me, dearest Augusta, not ten thousand + _such_ mothers, or indeed any mothers, Could induce me to give you + up.--No, No, as the dowager says in that rare epistle which now lies + before me, "the time has been, but that is past long since," and + nothing now can influence your _pretty_ _sort of_ a _brother_ (bad as + he is) to forget that he is your _Brother_. Our first Speech day will + be over ere this reaches you, but against the 2d you shall have timely + notice.--I am glad to hear your illness is not of a Serious nature; + _young Ladies_ ought not to throw themselves in to the fidgets about a + trifling delay of 9 or 10 years; age brings experience and when you in + the flower of youth, between 40 and 50, shall then marry, you will no + doubt say that I am a _wise man_, and that the later one makes one's + self miserable with the matrimonial clog, the better. Adieu, my + dearest Augusta, I bestow my _patriarchal blessing_ on you and Lady G. + and remain, + + [Signature cut out.] + + + + + +27.--To John Hanson. + + + Harrow-on-the-Hill, 27 June, 1805. + + Dear Sir,--I will be in Town on Saturday Morning, but it is absolutely + necessary for me to return to Harrow on Tuesday or Wednesday, as + Thursday is our 2d Speechday and Butler says he cannot dispense with my + Presence on that Day. I thank you for your Compliment in the Beginning + of your Letter, and with the Hope of seeing you and Hargreaves well on + Saturday, + + I remain, yours, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + + + +28.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [Address cut out], Tuesday, July 2d, 1805. + + + My dearest Augusta,--I am just returned from Cambridge, where I have + been to enter myself at Trinity College.--Thursday is our Speechday at + Harrow, and as I forgot to remind you of its approach, previous to our + first declamation, [1] I have given you _timely_ notice this time. If + you intend doing me the _honour_ of attending, I would recommend you + not to come without a Gentleman, as I shall be too much engaged all + the morning to take care of you, and I should not imagine you would + admire _stalking_ about by yourself. You had better be there by 12 + o'clock as we begin at 1, and I should like to procure you a good + place; Harrow is 11 miles from town, it will just make a _comfortable_ + mornings drive for you. I don't know how you are to come, but for + _Godsake_ bring as few women with you as possible. I would wish you to + Write me an answer immediately, that I may know on Thursday morning, + whether you will drive over or not, and I will arrange my other + engagements accordingly. I _beg_, _Madam_, you may make your + appearance in one of his Lordships most _dashing_ carriages, as our + Harrow _etiquette_, admits of nothing but the most _superb_ vehicles, + on our Grand _Festivals_. In the mean time, believe me, dearest + Augusta, + + Your affectionate Brother, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron, writing to Hanson (June 25, 1805), says, "The +fame of Byron's oratory has reached Southwell" (see page 27, note 1).] + + + + + +29.--To John Hanson. + + + Harrow, 8 July, 1805. + + + My dear Sir,--I have just received a Letter from my Mother, in which + she talks of coming to Town about the _commencement_ of our Holidays. + If she does, it will be impossible for me to call on _my Sister_, + previous to my leaving it, and at the same time I cannot conceive what + the Deuce she can want at this season in London. I have written to + tell her that my Holidays commence on the 6th of August, but however, + July the 1st is the proper day.--I beg that if you cannot find some + means to keep her in the Country that you at least will connive at + this deception which I can palliate, and then I shall be down in the + country before she knows where I am. My reasons for this are, that I + do _not wish_ to be detained in Town so uncomfortably as I know I + shall be if I remain with her; that _I do wish_ to see my Sister; and + in the next place she can just as well come to Town after my return to + Notts, as I don't desire to be dragged about according to her caprice, + and there are some other causes I think unnecessary to be now + mentioned. If you will only contrive by settling this business (if it + is in your power), or if that is impossible, not mention anything + about the day our Holidays commence, of which you can be easily + supposed not to be informed. If, I repeat, you can by any means + prevent this Mother from executing her purposes, believe me, you will + greatly oblige + + Yours truly, + + BYRON. + + + + + +30.--To Charles O. Gordon. [1] + + + Burgage Manor, Southwell, Notts, August 4, 1805. + + + Although I am greatly afraid, my Dearest Gordon, that you will not + receive this epistle till you return from Abergeldie, (as your letter + stated that you would be at Ledbury on Thursday next) yet, that is not + my fault, for I have not deferred answering yours a moment, and, as I + have just now concluded my Journey, my first, and, I trust you will + believe me when I say, most pleasing occupation will be to write to + you. + + We have played the Eton and were most confoundedly beat; [2] however + it was some comfort to me that I got 11 notches the 1st Innings and 7 + the 2nd, which was more than any of our side except Brockman & Ipswich + could contrive to hit. After the match we dined together, and were + extremely friendly, not a single discordant word was uttered by either + party. To be sure, we were most of us rather drunk and went together + to the Haymarket Theatre, where we kicked up a row, As you may + suppose, when so many Harrovians & Etonians met at one place; I was + one of seven in a single hackney, 4 Eton and 3 Harrow, and then we all + got into the same box, and the consequence was that such a devil of a + noise arose that none of our neighbours could hear a word of the + drama, at which, not being _highly delighted_, they began to quarrel + with us, and we nearly came to a _battle royal_. How I got home after + the play God knows. I hardly recollect, as my brain was so much + confused by the heat, the row, and the wine I drank, that I could not + remember in the morning how I found my way to bed. + + The rain was so incessant in the evening that we could hardly get our + Jarveys, which was the cause of so many being stowed into one. I saw + young Twilt, your brother, with Malet, and saw also an old + schoolfellow of mine whom I had not beheld for six years, but he was + not the one whom you were so good as to enquire after for me, and for + which I return you my sincere thanks. I set off last night at eight + o'clock to my mother's, and am just arrived this afternoon, and have + not delayed a second in thanking you for so soon fulfilling my request + that you would correspond with me. My address at Cambridge will be + Trinity College, but I shall not go there till the 20th of October. + You may continue to direct your letters here, when I go to Hampshire + which will not be till you have returned to Harrow. I will send my + address previous to my departure from my mother's. I agree with you in + the hope that we shall continue our correspondence for a long time. I + trust, my dearest friend, that it will only be interrupted by our + being some time or other in the same place or under the same roof, as, + when I have finished my _Classical Labour_, and my minority is + expired, I shall expect you to be a frequent visitor to Newstead + Abbey, my seat in this county which is about 12 miles from my mother's + house where I now am. There I can show you plenty of hunting, shooting + and fishing, and be assured no one ever will be more welcome guest + than yourself--nor is there any one whose correspondence can give me + more pleasure, or whose friendship yield me greater delight than + yours, sweet, dearest Charles, believe me, will always be the + sentiments of + + Yours most affectionately, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: This and Letter 33 are written to Byron's Harrow friend, +Charles Gordon, one of his "juniors and favourites," whom he "spoilt by +indulgence." Gordon, who was the son of David Gordon of Abergeldie, died +in 1829.] + + +[Footnote 2: Byron's reputation as a cricketer rests on this match +between Eton and Harrow. It was played on the old cricket ground in +Dorset Square, August 2, 1805, and ended in a victory for Eton by an +innings and two runs. The score is thus given by Lillywhite, in his +_Cricket Scores and Biographies of Celebrated Cricketers from 1745 to +1826_ (vol. i. pp. 319, 320)-- + +HARROW. + + First Innings. Second Innings. +-------------------------------------------------------- +Lord Ipswich, b Carter --10 b Heaton --21 +T. Farrer, Esq., b Carter -- 7 c Bradley-- 3 +T. Drury, Esq., b Carter -- 0 st Heaton-- 6 +--Bolton, Esq., run out -- 2 b Heaton -- 0 +C. Lloyd, Esq., b Carter -- 0 b Carter -- 0 +A. Shakespeare, Esq., st Heaton-- 8 runout -- 5 +Lord Byron, c Barnard-- 7 b Carter -- 2 +Hon. T. Erskine, b Carter -- 4 b Heaton -- 8 +W. Brockman, Esq., b Heaton -- 9 b Heaton --10 +E. Stanley, Esq., not out -- 3 c Canning-- 7 +--Asheton, Esq., b Carter -- 3 not out -- 0 + Byes -- 2 Byes -- 3 + -- -- + 55 65 + +ETON. +-------------------------------------------------------- +--Heaton, Esq., b Lloyd -- 0 +--Slingsby, Esq., b Shakespeare--29 +--Carter, Esq., b Shakespeare-- 3 +--Farhill, Esq., c Lloyd -- 6 +--Canning, Esq., c Farrer --12 +--Camplin, Esq., b Ipswich --42 +--Bradley, Esq., b Lloyd --16 +--Barnard, Esq., b Shakespeare-- 0 +--Barnard, Esq., not out -- 3 +--Kaye, Esq., b Byron -- 7 +--Dover, Esq., c Bolton -- 4 + Byes -- 0 + -- + 122 + + +At this match Lord Stratford de Redcliffe remembers seeing a +"moody-looking boy" dismissed for a small score. The boy was Byron. But +the moment is not favourable to expression of countenance. + + + + + + +31.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.] Burgage Manor, August 6th, 1805. + + + Well, my dearest Augusta, here I am, once more situated at my mother's + house, which together with its _inmate_ is as _agreeable_ as ever. I + am at this moment _vis à vis_ and Téte à téte with that amiable + personage, who is, whilst I am writing, pouring forth complaints + against your _ingratitude_, giving me many oblique hints that I ought + not to correspond with you, and concluding with an interdiction that + if you ever after the expiration of my minority are invited to my + residence, _she_ will no longer condescend to grace it with her + _Imperial_ presence. You may figure to yourself, for your amusement, + my solemn countenance on the occasion, and the _meek Lamblike_ + demeanour of her Ladyship, which, contrasted with my _Saintlike + visage_, forms a _striking family painting_, whilst in the back + ground, the portraits of my Great Grandfather and Grandmother, + suspended in their frames, seem to look with an eye of pity on their + _unfortunate descendant_, whose _worth_ and _accomplishments_ deserve + a milder fate. + + I am to remain in this _Garden_ of _Eden_ one month, I do not indeed + reside at Cambridge till October, but I set out for Hampshire in + September where I shall be on a visit till the commencement of the + term. In the mean time, Augusta, your _sympathetic_ correspondence + must be some alleviation to my sorrows, which however are too + ludicrous for me to regard them very seriously; but they are _really_ + more _uncomfortable_ than _amusing_. + + I presume you were rather surprised not to see my _consequential_ name + in the papers [1] amongst the orators of our 2nd speech day, but + unfortunately some wit who had formerly been at Harrow, suppressed the + merits of Long [2], Farrer [3] and myself, who were always supposed to + take the Lead in Harrow eloquence, and by way of a _hoax_ thought + proper to insert a panegyric on those speakers who were really and + truly allowed to have rather disgraced than distinguished themselves, + of course for the _wit_ of the thing, the best were left out and the + worst inserted, which accounts for the _Gothic omission_ of my + _superior talents._ Perhaps it was done with a view to weaken our + vanity, which might be too much raised by the flattering paragraphs + bestowed on our performance the 1st speechday; be that as it may, we + were omitted in the account of the 2nd, to the astonishment of all + Harrow. These are _disappointments_ we _great men_ are liable to, and + we must learn to bear them with philosophy, especially when they arise + from attempts at wit. I was indeed very ill at that time, and after I + had finished my speech was so overcome by the exertion that I was + obliged to quit the room. I had caught cold by sleeping in damp sheets + which was the cause of my indisposition. However I am now perfectly + recovered, and live in hopes of being emancipated from the slavery of + Burgage manor. But Believe me, Dearest Augusta, whether well or ill, + + I always am your affect. Brother, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: See page 27, note 1.] + + +[Footnote 2: Edward Noel Long, son of E. B. Long of Hampton Lodge, +Surrey, the "Cleon" of "Childish Recollections" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. +101, 102), entered Harrow in April, 1801. He went with Byron to Trinity +College, Cambridge, and till the end of the summer of 1806 was his most +intimate friend. + + "We were," says Byron, in his Diary ('Life', p. 31), "rival swimmers, + fond of riding, reading, and of conviviality. Our evenings we passed + in music (he was musical, and played on more than one + instrument--flute and violoncello), in which I was audience; and I + think that our chief beverage was soda-water. In the day we rode, + bathed, and lounged, reading occasionally. I remember our buying, with + vast alacrity, Moore's new quarto (in 1806), and reading it together + in the evenings. ... _His_ friendship, and a violent though pure + passion--which held me at the same period--were the then romance of + the most romantic period of my life." + +Long was Byron's companion at Littlehampton in August, 1806. In 1807 he +entered the Guards, served with distinction in the expedition to +Copenhagen, and was drowned early in 1809, "on his passage to Lisbon +with his regiment in the 'St. George' transport, which was run foul of +in the night by another transport" ('Life', p. 31. See also Byron's lines +"To Edward Noel Long, Esq.," 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 184-188).] + + +[Footnote 3: Thomas Farrer entered Harrow in April, 1801. He played in +Byron's XI. against Eton, on the ground in Dorset Square, on August 2, +1805.] + + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +1805-1808. + +CAMBRIDGE AND JUVENILE POEMS. + + + + + +32.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.] Burgage Manor, August 10th, 1805. + + + I have at last succeeded, my dearest Augusta, in pacifying the + dowager, and mollifying that _piece_ of _flint_ which the good Lady + denominates her heart. She now has condescended to send you her + _love_, although with many comments on the occasion, and many + compliments to herself. But to me she still continues to be a torment, + and I doubt not would continue so till the end of my life. However + this is the last time she ever will have an opportunity, as, when I go + to college, I shall employ my vacations either in town; or during the + summer I intend making a tour through the Highlands, and to Visit the + Hebrides with a party of my friends, whom I have engaged for the + purpose. This my old preceptor Drury recommended as the most improving + way of employing my Summer Vacation, and I have now an additional + reason for following his advice, as I by that means will avoid the + society of this woman, whose detestable temper destroys every Idea of + domestic comfort. It is a happy thing that she is my mother and not my + wife, so that I can rid myself of her when I please, and indeed, if + she goes on in the style that she has done for this last week that I + have been with her, I shall quit her before the month I was to drag + out in her company, is expired, and place myself any where, rather + than remain with such a vixen. As I am to have a very handsome + allowance,[1] which does not deprive her of a sixpence, since there is + an addition made from my fortune by the Chancellor for the purpose, I + shall be perfectly independent of her, and, as she has long since + trampled upon, and harrowed up every affectionate tie, It is my + serious determination never again to visit, or be upon any friendly + terms with her. This I owe to myself, and to my own comfort, as well + as Justice to the memory of my nearest relations, who have been most + shamefully libelled by this female 'Tisiphom', a name which your + 'Ladyship' will recollect to have belonged to one of the Furies. + You need not take the precaution of writing in so enigmatical a style + in your next, as, bad as the woman is, she would not dare to open any + letter addressed to me from you. Whenever you can find time to write, + believe me, your epistles will be productive of the greatest pleasure, + to your + + Affectionate Brother, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: During Byron's schooldays, Mrs. Byron received £500 a year +from the Court of Chancery for his education. When he went to Cambridge, +she gave up this allowance to her son, and the expenditure of a certain +sum was sanctioned by Chancery for furniture, clothes, plate, etc. At +the same time, Mrs. Byron applied for an allowance of £200 a year, but +in 1807 the allowance had not been granted. Her pension, it may be +added, most irregularly paid at all times, was reduced to £200 a year. +Writing to Hanson (September 23, 1805), she says, "I give up the five +hundred a year to my son, and you will supply him with money +accordingly. The two hundred a year addition I shall reserve for myself; +nor can I do with less, as my house will always be a home for my son +whenever he chooses to come to it."] + + + + + +33.--To Charles O. Gordon. + + + Burgage Manor, August 14, 1805. + + Believe me, my dearest Charles, no letter from you can ever be + unentertaining or dull, at least to me; on the contrary they will + always be productive of the highest pleasure as often as you think + proper to gratify me by your correspondence. My answer to your first + was addressed to Ledbury; and I fear you will not receive it till you + return from your tour, which I hope may answer your expectation in + every respect; I recollect some years ago passing near Abergeldie on + an excursion through the Highlands, it was at that time a most + beautiful place. + + I suppose you will soon have a view of the eternal snows that summit + the top of Lachin y Gair, which towers so magnificently above the rest + of our _Northern Alps_. I still remember with pleasure the admiration + which filled my mind, when I first beheld it, and further on the dark + frowning mountains which rise near Invercauld, together with the + romantic rocks that overshadow Mar Lodge, a seat of Lord Fife's, and + the cataract of the Dee, which dashes down the declivity with + impetuous violence in the grounds adjoining to the House. All these I + presume you will soon see, so that it is unnecessary for me to + expatiate on the subject. I sincerely wish that every happiness may + attend you in your progress. I have given you an account of our match + in my epistle to Herefordshire. We unfortunately lost it. I got 11 + notches the first innings and 7 the 2nd, making 18 in all, which was + more runs than any of our side (except Ipswich) could make. Brockman + also scored 18. We were very _convivial_ in the evening.[1] + + + +[Footnote 1: Here the letter, which is printed from a copy made by the +Rev. W. Harness (see page 177 [Letter 92], [Foot]note 1), comes to an +end.] + + + + + +34.--To Hargreaves Hanson. + + +Burgage Manor, August 19th, 1805. + + + My Dear Hargreaves,--You may depend upon my Observance of your + father's Invitation to Farleigh [1] in September, where I hope we + shall be the cause of much destruction to the feathered Tribe and + great Amusement to ourselves. The Lancashire Trial [2] comes on very + soon, and Mr. Hanson will come down by Nottingham; perhaps, I may then + have a chance of seeing him; at all events, I shall probably accompany + him on his way back; as I hope his Health is by this time perfectly + reestablished, and will not require a journey to Harrowgate. I shall + not as you justly conjecture have any occasion for my _Chapeau de + Bras_, as there is nobody in the Neighbourhood who would be worth the + trouble of wearing it, when I went to their parties. I am uncommonly + dull at this place, as you may easily imagine, nor do I think I shall + have much Amusement till the commencement of the shooting season. I + shall expect (when you next write) an account of your military + preparations, to repel the Invader of our Isle whenever he makes the + attempt.--_You_ will doubtless acquire _great Glory_ on the occasion, + and in expectation of hearing of your Warlike Exploits, + + I remain, yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Hanson had property at Farleigh, near Basingstoke.] + + +[Footnote 2: The Rochdale property of the Byron family had been +illegally sold by William, fifth Lord Byron. Proceedings were taken to +recover the property; but fresh points arose at every stage, and +eventually Byron, unable to wait longer, sold Newstead.] + + + + + + +35.--To Hargreaves Hanson. + + +Burgage Manor. + + +My Dear Hargeaves,--I would be obliged to you, if you would write to +your father, and enquire--what time it will be most convenient for him +to receive my visit, and I will come to Town immediately to the time +appointed and accompany you to the _Rural Shades_ and _Fertile Fields_ +of Hants. You must excuse the laconic Style of my Epistle as this place +is damned dull and I have nothing to relate, but believe me, + +Yours truly, + +BYRON. + + + + + +36.--To Hargreaves Hanson. + + + Trinity Coll., October 25, 1805. + + + Dear Hargreaves,--I presume your father has by this time informed you + of our safe Arrival here. [1] I can as yet hardly form an Opinion in + favour, or against the College, but as soon as I am settled you shall + have an account. I wish you to pack up carefully--& send immediately + the remainder of my books, and also my _Stocks_ which were left in + Chancery Lane. _Mon Chapeau de Bras_ take care of till Winter extends + his Icy Reign and I shall visit the Metropolis. Tell your father that + I am getting in the furniture he spoke of, but shall defer papering + and painting till the Recess. The sooner you execute my _commands_ the + better. Beware of Mr. Terry, + + And believe me, yours faithfully, + + BYRON. + + The Bills for Furniture I shall send to Mr. H., your worthy papa, + according to his _particular Desire_. The Cambridge Coach sets off + from the White Horse, Fetter Lane. + + + +[Footnote 1: Byron entered Trinity on July 1, 1805; but he did not go +into residence till the following October. His tutors were the Rev. +Thomas Jones (1756-1807), who was Senior Tutor from 1787 till his death +in 1807, and the Rev. George Frederick Tavell (B.A., 1792; M.A., 1795), +to whom Byron alludes in 'Hints from Horace', lines 228-230:-- + + "Unlucky Tavell! doom'd to daily cares + By pugilistic pupils, and by bears!"] + + + + + +37.--To John Hanson. + + Trinity Coll., Oct. 26, 1805. + + Dear Sir,--I will be obliged to you to order me down 4 Dozen of + Wine--Port, Sherry, Claret, and Madeira, one dozen of each. I have got + part of my furniture in, and begin to admire a College life. Yesterday + my appearance in the Hall in my State Robes was _Superb_, but + uncomfortable to my _Diffidence_. You may order the Saddle, etc., etc., + for "Oateater" as soon as you please and I will pay for them. + + I remain, Sir, yours truly, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Give Hargreaves a hint to be expeditious in his sending my + _Valuables_ which I begin to want. Your Cook had the Impudence to charge + my Servant 15 Shillings for 5 Days provision which I think is + exorbitant; but I hear that in _Town_ it is but reasonable. Pray is it + the custom to allow your Servants 3/6 per Diem, in London? I will thank + you for Information on the Subject. + + + + + + +38.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + [Castle Howard, near Malton, Yorkshire.] + + Trin. Coll. [Wednesday], Novr. 6th, 1805. + + My dear Augusta,--As might be supposed I like a College Life + extremely, especially as I have escaped the Trammels or rather + _Fetters_ of my domestic Tyrant Mrs. Byron, who continued to plague me + during my visit in July and September. I am now most pleasantly + situated in _Super_excellent Rooms, flanked on one side by my Tutor, + on the other by an old Fellow, both of whom are rather checks upon my + _vivacity_. I am allowed 500 a year, a Servant and Horse, so Feel as + independent as a German Prince who coins his own Cash, or a Cherokee + Chief who coins no Cash at all, but enjoys what is more precious, + Liberty. I talk in raptures of that _Goddess_ because my amiable Mama + was so despotic. I am afraid the Specimens I have lately given her of + my Spirit, and determination to submit to no more unreasonable + demands, (or the insults which follow a refusal to obey her implicitly + whether right or wrong,) have given high offence, as I had a most + _fiery_ Letter from the _Court_ at _Southwell_ on Tuesday, because I + would not turn off my Servant, (whom I had not the least reason to + distrust, and who had an excellent Character from his last Master) at + her suggestion, from some caprice she had taken into her head. [1] I + sent back to the Epistle, which was couched in _elegant_ terms, a + severe answer, which so nettled her Ladyship, that after reading it, + she returned it in a Cover without deigning a Syllable in return. + + The Letter and my answer you shall behold when you next see me, that + you may judge of the Comparative merits of Each. I shall let her go on + in the _Heroics_, till she cools, without taking the least notice. Her + Behaviour to me for the last two Years neither merits my respect, nor + deserves my affection. I am comfortable here, and having one of the + best allowances in College, go on Gaily, but not extravagantly. I need + scarcely inform you that I am not the least obliged to Mrs. B. for it, + as it comes off my property, and She refused to fit out a single thing + for me from her own pocket; [2] my Furniture is paid for, & she has + moreover a handsome addition made to her own income, which I do not in + the least regret, as I would wish her to be happy, but by _no means_ + to live with me in _person_. The sweets of her society I have already + drunk to the last dregs, I hope we shall meet on more affectionate + Terms, or meet no more. + + But why do I say _meet?_ her temper precludes every idea of happiness, + and therefore in future I shall avoid her _hospitable_ mansion, though + she has the folly to suppose She is to be mistress of my house when I + come of [age]. I must apologize to you for the [dullness?] of this + letter, but to tell you the [truth] [the effects] of last nights + Claret have no[t gone] out of my head, as I supped with a large party. + I suppose that Fool Hanson in his _vulgar_ Idiom, by the word Jolly + did not mean Fat, but High Spirits, for so far from increasing I have + lost one pound in a fortnight as I find by being regularly weighed. + + Adieu, Dearest Augusta. + + [Signature cut out.] + + + +[NB: Words in square brackets were cut and torn out with the seal.] + + +[Footnote 1: The servant, Byron's valet Frank, was accused of obtaining +money on false pretences from a Nottingham tradesman, and Mrs. +Byron informed her son of the charge. Frank was afterwards transported. +(See letter to Lord Clare, February 6, 1807; and letter to +Hanson, April 19, 1807.)] + + +[Footnote 2: See page 76, note 1.] + + + + + +39.--To Hargreaves Hanson. + + +Trinity Coll., Novr. 12th, 1805. + + + DEAR HARGREAVES,--Return my Thanks to your father for the _Expedition_ + he has used in filling my _Cellar_. + + He deserves commendation for the _Attention_ he paid to my Request. + The Time of "Oateater's" Journey approaches; I presume he means to + repair his Neglect by Punctuality in this Respect. However, no + _Trinity Ale_ will be forthcoming, till I have broached the promised + _Falernum._ + + College improves in every thing but Learning. Nobody here seems to + look into an Author, ancient or modern, if they can avoid it. The + Muses, poor Devils, are totally neglected, except by a few Musty old + _Sophs_ and _Fellows_, who, however agreeable they may be to + _Minerva_, are perfect Antidotes to the _Graces._ Even I (great as is + my _inclination_ for Knowledge) am carried away by the Tide, having + only supped at Home twice since I saw your father, and have more + engagements on my Hands for a week to come. Still my Tutor and I go on + extremely well and for the first three weeks of my life I have not + involved myself in any Scrape of Consequence. + + I have News for you which I bear with _Christian_ Resignation and + without any _violent Transports_ of _Grief._ My Mother (whose + diabolical Temper you well know) has taken it into her _Sagacious_ + Head to quarrel with me her _dutiful Son._ She has such a Devil of a + Disposition, that she cannot be quiet, though there are fourscore + miles between us, which I wish were lengthened to 400. The Cause too + frivolous to require taking up your time to read or mine to write. At + last in answer to a _Furious Epistle_ I returned a _Sarcastick_ + Answer, which so incensed the _Amiable Dowager_ that my Letter was + sent back without her deigning a Line in the cover. When I next see + you, you shall behold her Letter and my Answer, which will amuse you + as they both contain fiery Philippics. I must request you will write + immediately, that I may be informed when my Servant shall convey + "Oateater" from London; the 20th was the appointed; but I wish to hear + further from your father. I hope all the family are in a convalescent + State. I shall see you at Christmas (if I live) as I propose passing + the Vacation, which is only a Month, in London. + + Believe me, Mr. Terry, your's Truly, + + BYRON. + + + + + +40.--To John Hanson. + + + Trin. Coll. Cambridge, Novr. 23, 1805. + + Dear Sir,--Your Advice was good but I have not determined whether I + shall follow it; this Place is the _Devil_ or at least his principal + residence. They call it the University, but any other Appellation + would have suited it much better, for Study is the last pursuit of the + Society; the Master [1] eats, drinks, and sleeps, the Fellows [2] + _Drink, dispute and pun_; the Employment of the Under graduates you + will probably conjecture without my description. I sit down to write + with a Head confused with Dissipation which, tho' I hate, I cannot + avoid. + + I have only supped at Home 3 times since my Arrival, and my table is + constantly covered with invitations, after all I am the most _steady_ + Man in College, nor have I got into many Scrapes, and none of + consequence. Whenever you appoint a day my Servant shall come up for + "Oateater," and as the Time of paying my Bills now approaches, the + remaining £50 will be very _agreeable_. You need not make any + deduction as I shall want most of it; I will settle with you for the + Saddle and Accoutrements _next_ quarter. The Upholsterer's Bill will + not be sent in yet as my rooms are to be papered and painted at Xmas + when I will procure them. No Furniture has been got except what was + absolutely necessary including some Decanters and Wine Glasses. + + Your Cook certainly deceived you, as I know my Servant was in Town 5 + days, and she stated 4. I have yet had no reason to distrust him, but + we will examine the affair when I come to Town when I intend lodging + at Mrs. Massingbird's. My Mother and I have quarrelled, which I bear + with the _patience_ of a Philosopher; custom reconciles me to + everything. + + In the Hope that Mrs. H. and the _Battalion_ are in good Health. + + I remain, Sir, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: William Lort Mansel (1753-1820), Master of Trinity +(1798-1820), Bishop of Bristol (1808-1820), was the chief wit of +Cambridge in his day, and the author of many neat epigrams. "I wish," +said Rogers (_Table-Talk_, etc., p. 60), "somebody would collect all the +Epigrams written by Dr. Mansel; they are remarkably neat and clever." +Beloe, in _The Sexagenarian_ (vol. i. p. 98), speaks of Mansel as "a +young man remarkable for his personal confidence, for his wit and +humour, and, above all, for his gallantries." Apparently, on the same +somewhat unreliable authority, he was, as Master, a severe +disciplinarian, and extremely tenacious of his dignity (i. p. 99).] + + +[Footnote 2: Byron probably refers to Richard Porson (1759-1808), +Professor of Greek (1792-1808). The son of the parish clerk of Bacton +and Earl Ruston, in Norfolk, Porson was entered, by the kindness of +friends, on the foundation of Eton College (1774-1778). At Trinity, +Cambridge, he became a Scholar in 1780, and a Fellow (1782-1792). In +1792, as he could not conscientiously take orders, he vacated his +Fellowship, but was elected Professor of Greek. When Byron was at +Cambridge, Porson's health and powers were failing. Silent and reserved, +except in the society of his friends, a sloven in his person, he had +probably taken to drink as a cure for sleeplessness. In a note to the +_Pursuits of Literature_ (Dialogue iv. lines 508-516), + + "What," asks the author, J. T. Mathias, himself a Fellow of Trinity, + "is mere genius without a regulated life! To show the deformity of + vice to the rising hopes of the country, the policy of ancient Sparta + exhibited an inebriated slave." + +Yet Porson's fine love of truth and genius for textual criticism make +him one of the greatest, if not the greatest, name in British +scholarship. Porson married, in 1795, Mrs. Lunan, sister of Mr. Perry, +the editor of the 'Morning Chronicle', for which he frequently wrote. In +the 'Shade of Alexander Pope', Mathias again attacks him as "Dogmatic +Bardolph in his nuptial noose." Porson's wife died shortly after their +marriage. His controversial method was merciless. Of his 'Letters to +Archdeacon Travis', Green ('Lover of Literature', p. 213) says that + + "he dandles Travis as a tyger would a fawn: and appears only to + reserve him alive, for a time, that he may gratify his appetite for + sport, before he consigns his feeble prey, by a rougher squeeze, to + destruction."] + + + + + +41.--To John Hanson. + + + Trinity College, Cambridge, Novr. 30, 1805. + + + Sir,--After the contents of your Epistle, you will probably be less + surprized at my answer, than I have been at many points of yours; [1] + never was I more astonished than at the perusal, for I confess I + expected very different treatment. Your _indirect_ charge of + Dissipation does not affect me, nor do I fear the strictest inquiry + into my conduct; neither here nor at _Harrow_ have I disgraced myself, + the "Metropolis" and the "Cloisters" are alike unconscious of my + Debauchery, and on the plains of _merry Sherwood_ I have experienced + _Misery_ alone; in July I visited them for the last time. + + Mrs. Byron and myself are now totally separated, injured by her, I + sought refuge with Strangers, too late I see my error, for how was + kindness to be expected from _others_, when denied by a _parent_? In + you, Sir, I imagined I had found an Instructor; for your advice I + thank you; the Hospitality of yourself and Mrs. H. on many occasions I + shall always gratefully remember, for I am not of opinion that even + present Injustice can cancel past obligations. + + Before I proceed, it will be necessary to say a few words concerning + Mrs. Byron; you hinted a probability of her appearance at Trinity; the + instant I hear of her arrival I quit Cambridge, though _Rustication_ + or _Expulsion_ be the consequence. Many a weary week of _torment_ have + I passed with her, nor have I forgot the insulting _Epithets_ with + which myself, my _Sister_, my _father_ and my _Family_ have been + repeatedly reviled. + + To return to you, Sir, though I feel obliged by your Hospitality, + etc., etc., in the present instance I have been completely deceived. + When I came down to College, and even previous to that period I + stipulated that not only my Furniture, but even my Gowns and Books, + should be paid for that I might set out free from _Debt_. Now with all + the _Sang Froid_ of your profession you tell me, that not only I shall + not be permitted to repair my rooms (which was at first agreed to) but + that I shall not even be indemnified for my present expence. In one + word, hear my determination. I will _never_ pay for them out of my + allowance, and the Disgrace will not attach to me but to _those_ by + whom I have been deceived. Still, Sir, not even the Shadow of + dishonour shall reflect on _my_ Name, for I will see that the Bills + are discharged; whether by you or not is to me indifferent, so that + the men I employ are not the victims of my Imprudence or your + Duplicity. I have ordered nothing extravagant; every man in College is + allowed to fit up his rooms; mine are secured to me during my + residence which will probably be some time, and in rendering them + decent I am more praiseworthy than culpable. The Money I requested was + but a secondary consideration; as a _Lawyer_ you were not obliged to + advance it till due; as a _Friend_ the request might have been + complied with. When it is required at Xmas I shall expect the demand + will be answered. In the course of my letter I perhaps have expressed + more asperity than I intended, it is my nature to feel warmly, nor + shall any consideration of interest or Fear ever deter me from giving + vent to my Sentiments, when injured, whether by a Sovereign or a + Subject. + + I remain, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: The quarrel arose from Byron misunderstanding a letter from +Hanson on the subject of the allowance made by the Court of Chancery for +his furniture.] + + + + + +42.--To John Hanson. + + + Trin. Coll. Cambridge, Dec. 4, 1805. + + Sir,--In charging you with downright _Duplicity_ I wronged you, nor do + I hesitate to atone for an Injury which I feel I have committed, or + add to my Fault by the Vindication of an expression dictated by + Resentment, an _expression_ which deserves Censure, and demands the + apology I now offer; for I think that Disposition indeed _mean_ which + adds Obstinacy to Insult, by attempting the Palliation of unmerited + Invective from the mistaken principle of disdaining the Avowal of even + _self convicted_ Error. In regard to the other _Declarations_ my + Sentiments remain _unaltered;_ the event will shew whether my + Prediction is false. I know Mrs. Byron too well to imagine that she + would part with a _Sous_, and if by some _Miracle_ she was prevailed + upon, the _Details_ of her _Generosity_ in allowing me part of my _own + property_ would be continually _thundered_ in my ears, or _launched_ + in the _Lightening_ of her letters, so that I had rather encounter the + Evils of Embarrassment than lie under an obligation to one who would + continually reproach me with her Benevolence, as if her Charity had + been extended to a _Stranger_ to the Detriment of her own Fortune. My + opinion is perhaps harsh for a Son, but it is justified by experience, + it is confirmed by _Facts_, it was generated by oppression, it has + been nourished by Injury. To you, Sir, I attach no Blame. I am too + much indebted to your kindness to retain my anger for a length of + Time, that _Kindness_ which, by a forcible contrast, has taught me to + spurn the _Ties_ of _Blood_ unless strengthened by proper and gentle + Treatment. I declare upon my honor that the Horror of entering Mrs. + Byron's House has of late years been so implanted in my Soul, that I + dreaded the approach of the Vacations as the _Harbingers_ of _Misery_. + My letters to my Sister, written during my residence at Southwell, + would prove my Assertion. With my kind remembrances to Mrs. H. and + Hargreaves, + + I remain, Sir, yours truly, + + BYRON. + + + + + +43.--To John Hanson. + + Trin. Coll. Cambridge, Dec. 13, 1805. + + DEAR SIR,--I return you my Thanks for the remaining £50 which came in + extremely _apropos_, and on my visit to Town about the 19th will give + you a regular receipt. In your Extenuation of Mrs. Byron's Conduct you + use as a _plea_, that, by her being my Mother, greater allowance ought + to be made for those _little_ Traits in her Disposition, so much more + _energetic_ than _elegant_. I am afraid, (however good your intention) + that you have added to rather than diminished my Dislike, for + independent of the moral Obligations she is under to _protect, + cherish_, and _instruct_ her _offspring_, what can be expected of that + Man's heart and understanding who has continually (from Childhood to + Maturity) beheld so pernicious an Example? His nearest relation is the + first person he is taught to revere as his Guide and Instructor; the + perversion of Temper before him leads to a corruption of his own, and + when that is depraved, vice quickly becomes habitual, and, though + timely Severity may sometimes be necessary & justifiable, surely a + peevish harassing System of Torment is by no means commendable, & when + that is interrupted by ridiculous Indulgence, the only purpose + answered is to soften the feelings for a moment which are soon after + to be doubly wounded by the recal of accustomed Harshness. I will now + give this disagreeable Subject to the _Winds_. I conclude by observing + that I am the more confirmed in my opinion of the Futility of Natural + Ties, unless supported not only by Attachment but _affectionate_ and + _prudent_ Behaviour. + + Tell Mrs. H. that the predicted alteration in my Manners and Habits + has not taken place. I am still the Schoolboy and as great a _Rattle_ + as ever, and between ourselves College is not the place to improve + either Morals or Income. + + I am, Sir, yours truly, + + BYRON. + + + + + +44.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + [[Cas]tle Howard, [ne]ar Malton, Yorkshire.] + + + 16, Piccadilly, [Thursday], Decr. 26th, 1805. + + My dearest Augusta,--By the Date of my Letter you will perceive that I + have taken up my Residence in the metropolis, where I presume we shall + behold you in the latter end of January. I sincerely hope you will + make your appearance at that Time, as I have some subjects to discuss + with you, which I do not wish to communicate in my Epistle. + + The Dowager has thought proper to solicit a reconciliation which in + some measure I have agreed to; still there is a coolness which I do + not feel inclined to _thaw_, as terms of Civility are the only + resource against her impertinent and unjust proceedings with which you + are already acquainted. + + Town is not very full and the weather has been so unpropitious that I + have not been able to make use of my Horses above twice since my + arrival. I hope your everlasting negotiation with the Father of your + _Intended_ is near a conclusion in _some_ manner; if you do not hurry + a little, you will be verging into the "_Vale of Years_," and, though + you may be blest with Sons and daughters, you will never live to see + your _Grandchildren_. + + When convenient, favour me with an Answer and believe me, + + [Signature cut out.] + + + + + + +45.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + [Castle Howar[d], neat Malto[n], Yorkshire.] 16, Piccadilly, [Friday], + Decr. 27th, 1805. + + My Dear Augusta,--You will doubtless be surprised to see a second + epistle so close upon the arrival of the first, (especially as it is + not my custom) but the Business I mentioned rather mysteriously in my + last compels me again to proceed. But before I disclose it, I must + require the most inviolable Secrecy, for if ever I find that it has + transpired, all confidence, all Friendship between us has concluded. I + do not mean this exordium as a threat to induce you to comply with my + request but merely (whether you accede or not) to keep it a Secret. + And although your compliance would essentially oblige me, yet, believe + me, my esteem will not be diminished by your Refusal; nor shall I + suffer a complaint to escape. The Affair is briefly thus; like all + other young men just let loose, and especially one as I am, freed from + the worse than bondage of my maternal home, I have been extravagant, + and consequently am in want of Money. You will probably now imagine + that I am going to apply to you for some. No, if you would offer me + thousands, I declare solemnly that I would without hesitation refuse, + nor would I accept them were I in danger of Starvation. All I expect + or wish is, that you will be joint Security with me for a few Hundreds + a person (one of the money lending tribe) has offered to advance in + case I can bring forward any collateral guarantee that he will not be + a loser, the reason of this requisition is my being a Minor, and might + refuse to discharge a debt contracted in my non-age. If I live till + the period of my minority expires, you cannot doubt my paying, as I + have property to the amount of 100 times the sum I am about to raise; + if, as I think rather probable, a pistol or a Fever cuts short the + thread of my existence, you will receive half the _Dross_ saved since + I was ten years old, and can be no great loser by discharging a debt + of 7 or £800 from as many thousands. It is far from my Breast to exact + any promise from you that would be detrimental, or tend to lower me in + your opinion. If you suppose this leads to either of those + consequences, forgive my impertinence and bury it in oblivion. I have + many Friends, most of them in the same predicament with myself; to + those who are not, I am too proud to apply, for I hate obligation; my + Relations you know I _detest_; who then is there that I can address on + the subject but yourself? to you therefore I appeal, and if I am + disappointed, at least let me not be tormented by the advice of + Guardians, and let silence rule your Resolution. I know you will think + me foolish, if not criminal; but tell me so yourself, and do not + rehearse my failings to others, no, not even to that proud Grandee the + Earl, who, whatever his qualities may be, is certainly not amiable, + and that Chattering puppy Hanson would make still less allowance for + the foibles of a Boy. I am now trying the experiment, whether a woman + can retain a secret; let me not be deceived. If you have the least + doubt of my integrity, or that you run too great a Risk, do not + hesitate in your refusal. Adieu. I expect an answer with impatience, + believe me, whether you accede or not, + + [Signature cut out.] + + P.S.--I apologize for the numerous errors probably enveloped in this + cover; the temper of my mind at present, and the hurry I have written + in, must plead for pardon. Adieu. + + + + + + +46.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron. + + + [Castle Howard, near Malton, Yorkshire.] + + 16, Piccadilly, [Tuesday], January 7th, 1805. + + [In another hand]--6. + + + My dearest Augusta,--Your efforts to reanimate my sinking spirits + will, I am afraid, fail in their effect, for my melancholy proceeds + from a very different cause to that which you assign, as, my nerves + were always of the strongest texture.--I will not however pretend to + say I possess that _Gaieté de Coeur_ which formerly distinguished me, + but as the diminution of it arises from what you could not alleviate, + and might possibly be painful, you will excuse the Disclosure. Suffice + it to know, that it cannot spring from Indisposition, as my Health was + never more firmly established than now, nor from the subject on which + I lately wrote, as that is in a promising Train, and even were it + otherwise, the Failure would not lead to Despair. You know me too well + to think it is _Love_; & I have had no quarrel or dissention with + Friend or enemy, you may therefore be easy, since no unpleasant + consequence will be produced from the present Sombre cast of my + Temper. I fear the Business will not be concluded before your arrival + in Town, when we will settle it together, as by the 20th these _sordid + Bloodsuckers_ who have agreed to furnish the Sum, will have drawn up + the Bond. Believe me, my dearest Sister, it never entered in to my + head, that you either could or would propose to antic[ipate] my + application to others, by a P[resent from?] yourself; I and I only + will be [injured] by my own extravagance, nor would I have wished you + to take the least concern, had any other means been open for + extrication. As it is, I hope you will excuse my Impertinence, or if + you feel an inclination to retreat, do not let affection for me + counterbalance prudence. + + [Signature cut out.] + + + +[Footnote 1: Words in square brackets accidentally torn off the edge of +the paper, and conjecturally supplied.] + + + + + + +47.--To his Mother. + + + 16, Piccadilly, Febry. 26, 1806. + + Dear Mother,--Notwithstanding your sage and economical advice I have + paid my _Harrow_ Debts, as I can better afford to wait for the Money + than the poor Devils who were my creditors. I have also discharged my + college Bills amounting to £231,--£75 of which I shall trouble Hanson + to repay, being for Furniture, and as my allowance is £500 per annum, + I do not chuse to lose the overplus as it makes only £125 per Quarter. + I happen to have a few hundreds in ready Cash by me, [1] so I have + paid the accounts; but I find it inconvenient to remain at College, + not for the expence, as I could live on my allowance (only I am + naturally extravagant); however the mode of going on does not suit my + constitution. Improvement at an English University to a Man of Rank + is, you know, impossible, and the very Idea _ridiculous_. Now I + sincerely desire to finish my Education and, having been sometime at + Cambridge, the Credit of the University is as much attached to my + Name, as if I had pursued my Studies _there_ for a Century; but, + believe me, it is nothing more than a Name, which is already acquired. + I can now leave it with Honour, as I have paid everything, & wish to + pass a couple of years abroad, where I am certain of employing my time + to far more advantage and at much less expence, than at our English + Seminaries. 'Tis true I cannot enter France; but Germany and the + Courts of Berlin, Vienna & Petersburg are still open, I shall lay the + Plan before Hanson & Lord C. I presume you will all agree, and if you + do not, I will, if possible, get away without your Consent, though I + should admire it more in the regular manner & with a Tutor of your + furnishing. This is my project, at present I wish _you_ to be silent + to Hanson about it. Let me have your Answer. I intend remaining in + Town a Month longer, when perhaps I shall bring my Horses and myself + down to your residence in that _execrable_ Kennel. I hope you have + engaged a Man Servant, else it will be impossible for me to visit you, + since my Servant must attend chiefly to his horses; at the same Time + you must cut an indifferent Figure with only maids in your habitation. + + I remain, your's, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: + + "The Bills," writes Mrs. Byron to Hanson (January 11, 1806), "are + coming in thick upon me to double the amount I expected; he went and + ordered just what he pleased here, at Nottingham, and in London. + However, it is of no use to say anything about it, and I beg you will + take no notice. I am determined to have everything clear within the + year, if possible." + +Again she writes (March 1, 1806): + + "I beg you will not mention to my son, having heard from me, but try + to get out of him his reason for wishing to leave England, and where + he got the money. I much fear he has fallen into bad hands, not only + in regard to Money Matters, but in other respects. My idea is that he + has inveigled himself with some woman that he wishes to get rid of and + finds it difficult. But whatever it is, he must be got out of it." + +Again (March 4, 1806): + + "That Boy will be the death of me, and drive me mad! I never will + consent to his going Abroad. Where can he get Hundreds? Has he got + into the hands of Moneylenders? He has no feeling, no Heart. This I + have long known; he has behaved as ill as possible to me for years + back. This bitter Truth I can no longer conceal: it is wrung from me + by _heart-rending agony_. I am well rewarded. I came to + Nottinghamshire to please him, and now he hates it. He knows that I am + doing everything in my power to pay his Debts, and he writes to me + about hiring servants!" + +Once more (April 24, 1806): + + "Lord Byron has given £31 10s. to Pitt's statue. He has also bought a + Carriage, which he says was intended for me, which I _refused_ to + accept of, being in hopes it would stop his having one."] + + + + + +48.--To John Hanson. + + + 16, Piccadilly, March 3, 1806. + + + Sir,--I called at your House in Chancery Lane yesterday Evening, as I + expected you would have been in Town, but was disappointed. If + convenient, I should be glad to see you on Wednesday Morning about one + o'Clock, as I wish for your advice on some Business. On Saturday one + of my Horses threw me; I was stunned for a short time, but soon + recovered and suffered no material _Injury_; the accident happened on + the Harrow Road. I have paid Jones's Bill amounting to £231.4.5 of + which I expect to be reimbursed £75 for Furniture. I have got his + Bankers' receipt and the account ready for your Inspection. I now owe + nothing at Cambridge; but shall not return this Term, [1] as I have + been extremely _unwell_, and at the same time can stay where I am at + much less Expence and _equal Improvement_. I wish to consult you on + several Subjects and expect you will pay me a visit on Wednesday; in + the mean time, + + I remain, yours, etc., BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Lectures began on February 5, 1806, as is stated on the +College bills, sent in by Mr. Jones, the Senior Tutor of Trinity. But +Byron preferred to remain in London. Augusta Byron writes to Hanson +(March 7, 1806)---- + + "I trouble you again in consequence of some conversation I had last + night with Lord Carlisle about my Brother. He expressed himself to me + as kindly on that subject as on all others, and though he says it may + not be productive of any good, and that he may be only _able to join + his lamentations_ with yours, he should like to talk to you and try if + anything can be done. I was much surprized and vexed to see my Brother + a week ago at the Play, as I think he ought to be employing his time + more profitably at Cambridge."] + + + + + +49.--To John Hanson. + + +16, Piccadilly, near Park Lane, 10th March, 1806. + + + SIR,--As in all probability you will not make your appearance tomorrow + I must disclose by Letter the Business I intended to have discussed at + our interview.--We know each other sufficiently to render Apology + unnecessary. I shall therefore without further Prelude proceed to the + Subject in Question. You are not ignorant, that I have lately lived at + considerable Expence, to support which my allotted Income by the + 'sapient' Court of Chancery is inadequate.--I confess I have + borrowed a trifling sum and now wish to raise £500 to discharge some + Debts I have contracted; my approaching Quarter will bring me £200 due + from my Allowance, and if you can procure me the other £300 at a + moderate Interest, it will save 100 per cent I must pay my _Israelite_ + for the same purpose.--You see by this I have an _excellent_ Idea of + Oeconomy even in my Extravagance by being willing to pay as little + Money as possible, for the Cash must be disbursed _somewhere_ or + _somehow_, and if you decline (as in prudence I tell you fairly you + ought), the _Tribe_ of _Levi_ will be my _dernier resort_. However I + thought proper to make this Experiment with very slender hopes of + success indeed, since Recourse to the _Law_ is at best a _desperate_ + effort. I have now laid open my affairs to you without Disguise and + Stated the Facts as they appear, declining all Comments, or the use of + any Sophistry to palliate my application, or urge my request. All I + desire is a speedy Answer, whether successful or not. + + Believe me, yours truly, BYRON. + + + + + +50.--To John Hanson. + + + 16, Piccadilly, 25th March, 1806. + + + SIR,--Your last Letter, as I expected, contained much advice, but no + Money. I could have excused the former unaccompanied by the latter, + since any one thinks himself capable of giving that, but very few + chuse to own themselves competent to the other. I do not now write to + urge a 2nd Request, one Denial is sufficient. I only require what is + my right. This is Lady Day. £125 is due for my last Quarter, and £75 + for my expenditure in Furniture at Cambridge and I will thank you to + remit. + + The Court of Chancery may perhaps put in Force your Threat. I have + always understood it formed a Sanction for legal plunderers to + protract the Decision of Justice from year to year, till weary of + spoil it at length condescended to give Sentence, but I never yet + understood even its unhallowed Hands preyed upon the Orphan it was + bound to protect. Be it so, only let me have your answer. + + I remain, etc., etc., BYRON. + + + + + + +51.--To Henry Angelo. [1] + Trinity College, Cambridge, May 16, 1806. + + SIR,--You cannot be more indignant, at the insolent and unmerited + conduct of Mr. Mortlock, [2] than those who authorised you to request + his permission. However we do not yet despair of gaining our point, + and every effort shall be made to remove the obstacles, which at + present prevent the execution of our project. I yesterday waited on + the Master of this College, [3] who, having a personal dispute with the + Mayor, declined interfering, but recommended an application to the + Vice Chancellor, whose authority is paramount in the University. I + shall communicate this to Lord Altamount,[4] and we will endeavour to + bend the obstinacy of the _upstart_ magistrate, who seems to be + equally deficient in justice and common civility. On my arrival in + town, which will take place in a few days, you will see me at Albany + Buildings, when we will discuss the subject further. Present my + remembrance to the Messrs. Angelo, junior, and believe me, we will yet + _humble_ this _impertinent bourgeois_. + + I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Henry Angelo, the famous fencing-master, was at the head of +his profession for nearly forty years. His position was recognized at +least as early as 1787, when he published _The School of Fencing_, and +fenced, with the Chevalier de St. George and other celebrities, before +the Prince of Wales at Carlton House. In 1806 he was travelling down +every other week to Cambridge, as he states in his _Pic Nic_ (1837), to +visit his pupils. He had made Byron's acquaintance at Harrow by teaching +him to fence, and in later years had many bouts with him with the foils, +single-sticks, and Highland broadsword. His _Reminiscences_ (1830), +together with his _Pic Nic_, contain numerous anecdotes of Byron, to +whom he seems to have been sincerely attached. In 1806 he had several +rooms in London for the use of his pupils. One of these was at 13, Bond +Street, which he shared with Gentleman Jackson, the pugilist and +ex-champion. In Cruikshank's picture of the room (Pierce Egan's _Life in +London_, p. 254), two fencers have unmasked and stopped their bout to +see Jackson spar with Corinthian Tom. Angelo contributed an article on +fencing to Sir John Sinclair's _Code of Health and Longevity_, vol. ii. +p. 163. + +Angelo, who retired from London in 1821, and lived near Bath, was in +1806 at the height of his reputation. An old Etonian (1767), he knew +every one in London; had dined at the same table with the Prince of +Wales, acted with Lord Barrymore, sung comic songs with Dibdin, punned +with Bannister and Colman, fished at Benham on the invitation of the +Margravine of Anspach, played the flute to Lady Melfort's accompaniment +on the piano, and claimed his share of the table-talk at the Keep Line +Club. Nearly every celebrity of the day, from Lord Sidmouth and Lord +Liverpool to Kean and Macready, was his pupil.] + + +[Footnote 2: Mr. Mortlock, the Mayor of Cambridge, is thus mentioned in +a letter from S. T. Coleridge to Southey, dated September 26, 1794: "All +last night I was obliged to listen to the damned chatter of "Mortlock, +our mayor, a fellow that would certainly be a pantisocrat "were his head +and heart as highly illuminated as his face. In the tropical latitude of +this fellow's nose was I obliged to fry" (_Letters of S. T. Coleridge_ +(1895), vol. i. p. 87).] + + +[Footnote 3: William Lort Mansel, Master of Trinity, and Bishop of +Bristol. (See page 84 [Letter 40], [Foot]note 1.)] + + +[Footnote 4: Howe Peter Browne, Lord Altamont (1788-1845), of Jesus +College, succeeded his father in 1809 as second Marquis of Sligo. Byron +spent some time with him at Athens in 1810. Lord Sligo's letter on the +origin of the 'Giaour' is quoted by Moore ('Life', p. 178). (See also +page 289 [Letter 144], [Foot]note 1 [3].)] + + + + + +52.--To John M. B. Pigot. [1] + + 16, Piccadilly, August 9, 1806. + + MY DEAR PIGOT,--Many thanks for your amusing narrative of the last + proceedings of my amiable Alecto, who now begins to feel the effects + of her folly. I have just received a penitential epistle, to which, + apprehensive of pursuit, I have despatched a moderate answer, with a + _kind_ of promise to return in a fortnight;--this, however (_entre + nous_), I never mean to fulfil. Her soft warblings must have delighted + her auditors, her higher notes being particularly musical, and on a + calm moonlight evening would be heard to great advantage. Had I been + present as a spectator, nothing would have pleased me more; but to + have come forward as one of the _dramatis personae_--St. Dominic + defend me from such a scene! Seriously, your mother has laid me under + great obligations, and you, with the rest of your family, merit my + warmest thanks for your kind connivance at my escape from "Mrs. Byron + _furiosa_." + + Oh! for the pen of Ariosto to rehearse, in epic, the scolding of that + momentous eve,--or rather, let me invoke the shade of Dante to inspire + me, for none but the author of the Inferno could properly preside over + such an attempt. But, perhaps, where the pen might fail, the pencil + would succeed. What a group!--Mrs. B. the principal figure; you + cramming your ears with cotton, as the only antidote to total + deafness; Mrs.----in vain endeavouring to mitigate the wrath of the + lioness robbed of her whelp; and last, though not least, Elizabeth and + _Wousky_,--wonderful to relate!--both deprived of their parts of + speech, and bringing up the rear in mute astonishment. How did S. B. + receive the intelligence? How many _puns_ did he utter on so + _facetious_ an event? In your next inform me on this point, and what + excuse you made to A. You are probably, by this time, tired of + deciphering this hieroglyphical letter;--like Tony Lumpkin, you will + pronounce mine to be "a damned up and down hand." All Southwell, + without doubt, is involved in amazement. _Apropos_, how does my + blue-eyed nun, the fair----? Is she "_robed in sable garb of woe?_" + + Here I remain at least a week or ten days; previous to my departure + you shall receive my address, but what it will be I have not + determined. My lodgings must be kept secret from Mrs. B. You may + present my compliments to her, and say any attempt to pursue me will + fail, as I have taken measures to retreat immediately to Portsmouth, + on the first intimation of her removal from Southwell. You may add, I + have proceeded to a friend's house in the country, there to remain a + fortnight. + + I have now _blotted_ (I must not say written) a complete double + letter, and in return shall expect a _monstrous budget_. Without + doubt, the dames of Southwell reprobate the pernicious example I have + shown, and tremble lest their _babes_ should disobey their mandates, + and quit, in dudgeon, their mammas on any grievance. Adieu. When you + begin your next, drop the "lordship," and put "Byron" in its place. + + Believe me yours, etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: J. M. B. Pigot, eldest brother of Miss E. B. Pigot (see +Letter of August 29, 1804, page 32, note 1). To him Byron addressed +his "Reply" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 53-56) and verses "To the Sighing +Strephon" ('Ibid'., pp. 63-66). In 1805-6 Pigot was studying medicine at +Edinburgh, and in his vacations saw much of Byron. He died at +Ruddington, Notts., November 26, 1871, aged 86. It would appear that +Byron had, with the connivance of the Pigots, escaped to London, after a +quarrel with his mother; but the caution to keep his lodgings secret +gives a theatrical air to the letter, as the rooms, kept by Mrs. +Massingberd, were originally taken by Mrs. Byron, and often occupied by +her, and she was at the time corresponding with Hanson about her son's +debt to Mrs. Massingberd, who seems to have been both landlady and +money-lender to Byron.] + + + + + +53.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + + London, August 10, 1806. + + + MY DEAR BRIDGET,--As I have already troubled your brother with more + than he will find pleasure in deciphering, you are the next to whom I + shall assign the employment of perusing this second epistle. You will + perceive from my first, that no idea of Mrs. B.'s arrival had + disturbed me at the time it was written; _not_ so the present, since + the appearance of a note from the _illustrious cause_ of my _sudden + decampment_ has driven the "natural ruby from my cheeks," and + completely blanched my woebegone countenance. This gunpowder + intimation of her arrival (confound her activity!) breathes less of + terror and dismay than you will probably imagine, from the volcanic + temperament of her ladyship; and concludes with the comfortable + assurance of _present motion_ being prevented by the fatigue of her + journey, for which my _blessings_ are due to the rough roads and + restive quadrupeds of his Majesty's highways. As I have not the + smallest inclination to be chased round the country, I shall e'en make + a merit of necessity; and since, like Macbeth, "they've tied me to the + stake, I cannot fly," I shall imitate that valorous tyrant, and + bear-like fight the "course," all escape being precluded. I can now + engage with less disadvantage, having drawn the enemy from her + intrenchments, though, like the _prototype_ to whom I have compared + myself, with an excellent chance of being knocked on the head. + However, "lay on Macduff", and "damned be he who first cries, Hold, + enough." + + I shall remain in town for, at least, a week, and expect to hear from + _you_ before its expiration. I presume the printer has brought you the + offspring of my _poetic mania_. [1] Remember in the first line to read + "_loud_ the winds whistle," instead of "round," which that blockhead + Ridge had inserted by mistake, and makes nonsense of the whole stanza. + Addio!--Now to encounter my _Hydra_. + + Yours ever. + + + +[Footnote 1: Byron's first volume of verse was now in the press. The +line to which he alludes is the first line of the poem, "On Leaving +Newstead Abbey" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 1-4). It now runs-- + + "Through thy battlements, Newstead, the hollow winds whistle." + +(For the bibliography of his early poems, see 'Poems', vol. i., +Bibliographical Note; and vol. vi., Appendix.) The first collection +('Fugitive Pieces', printed by S. and J. Ridge, Newark, 4to, 1806) was +destroyed, with the exception of two copies, by the advice of the Rev. +J. T. Becher (see page 182 [Letter 94], [Foot]note 1 [2]). The second +collection ('Poems on Various Occasions', printed by S. and J. Ridge, +Newark, 12mo, 1807) was published anonymously. It is to this edition +that Letters 60, 61, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, refer. + +In the summer of 1807, 'Poems on Various Occasions' was superseded by +the third collection, called 'Hours of Idleness' (printed by S. and J. +Ridge, Newark, 12mo, 1807), published with the author's name. To this +edition Letters 76 and 78 refer. 'Hours of Idleness' was reviewed by +Lord Brougham ('Notes from a Diary', by Sir M. E. Grant Duff, vol. ii. +p. 189) in the 'Edinburgh Review' for January, 1808. + +The fourth and final collection, entitled 'Poems Original and +Translated' (printed by S. and J. Ridge, Newark, 12mo, 1808), was +dedicated to the Earl of Carlisle. + + + + + +54.--To John M. B. Pigot. + + + London, Sunday, midnight, August 10, 1806. + + Dear Pigot,--This _astonishing_ packet will, doubtless, amaze you; but + having an idle hour this evening, I wrote the enclosed stanzas, [2] + which I request you will deliver to Ridge, to be printed _separate_ + from my other compositions, as you will perceive them to be improper + for the perusal of ladies; of course, none of the females of your + family must see them. I offer 1000 apologies for the trouble I have + given you in this and other instances. + + Yours truly. + + + + + +[Footnote 1: These are probably some silly lines "To Mary," written in +the erotic style of Moore's early verse. To the same Mary, of whom +nothing is known, are addressed the lines "To Mary, on receiving her +Picture" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 32, 33).] + + + + + +55.--To John M. B. Pigot. + + Piccadilly, August 16, 1806. + + I cannot exactly say with Caesar, "Veni, vidi, vici:" however, the + most important part of his laconic account of success applies to my + present situation; for, though Mrs. Byron took the _trouble_ of + "_coming_," and "_seeing_," yet your humble servant proved the + _victor_. After an obstinate engagement of some hours, in which we + suffered considerable damage, from the quickness of the enemy's fire, + they at length retired in confusion, leaving behind the artillery, + field equipage, and some prisoners: their defeat is decisive for the + present campaign. To speak more intelligibly, Mrs. B. returns + immediately, but I proceed, with all my laurels, to Worthing, on the + Sussex coast; to which place you will address (to be left at the post + office) your next epistle. By the enclosure of a second _gingle of + rhyme_, you will probably conceive my muse to be _vastly prolific_; + her inserted production was brought forth a few years ago, and found + by accident on Thursday among some old papers. I have recopied it, + and, adding the proper date, request that it may be printed with the + rest of the family. I thought your sentiments on the last bantling + would coincide with mine, but it was impossible to give it any other + garb, being founded on _facts_. My stay at Worthing will not exceed + three weeks, and you may _possibly_ behold me again at Southwell the + middle of September. + + Will you desire Ridge to suspend the printing of my poems till he + hears further from me, as I have determined to give them a new form + entirely? This prohibition does not extend to the two last pieces I + have sent with my letters to you. You will excuse the _dull vanity_ of + this epistle, as my brain is a _chaos_ of absurd images, and full of + business, preparations, and projects. + + I shall expect an answer with impatience;--believe me, there is + nothing at this moment could give me greater delight than your letter. + + + + + +56.--To John M. B. Pigot. + + + London, August 18, 1806. + + + I am just on the point of setting off for Worthing, and write merely + to request you will send that _idle scoundrel Charles_ with my horses + immediately; tell him I am excessively provoked he has not made his + appearance before, or written to inform me of the cause of his delay, + particularly as I supplied him with money for his journey. On _no_ + pretext is he to postpone his _march_ one day longer; and if, in + obedience to the caprices of Mrs. B. (who, I presume, is again + spreading desolation through her little monarchy), he thinks proper to + disregard my positive orders, I shall not, in future, consider him as + my servant. He must bring the surgeon's bill with him, which I will + discharge immediately on receiving it. Nor can I conceive the reason + of his not acquainting Frank with the state of my unfortunate + quadrupeds. Dear Pigot, forgive this _petulant_ effusion, and + attribute it to the idle conduct of that _precious_ rascal, who, + instead of obeying my injunctions, is sauntering through the streets + of that _political Pandemonium_, Nottingham. Present my remembrance to + your family and the Leacrofts, and believe me, etc. + + P.S.--I delegate to _you_ the unpleasant task of despatching him on + his journey--Mrs. B.'s orders to the contrary are not to be attended + to: he is to proceed first to London, and then to Worthing, without + delay. Every thing I have _left_ must be sent to London. My _Poetics + you_ will _pack up_ for the same place, and not even reserve a copy + for yourself and sister, as I am about to give them an _entire new + form_: when they are complete, you shall have the _first fruits_. Mrs. + B. on no account is to _see_ or touch them. Adieu. + + + + + +57.--To John M. B. Pigot. + + + Little Hampton, August 26, 1806. + + + I this morning received your epistle, which I was obliged to send for + to Worthing, whence I have removed to this place, on the same coast, + about eight miles distant from the former. You will probably not be + displeased with this letter, when it informs you that I am £30,000 + richer than I was at our parting, having just received intelligence + from my lawyer that a cause has been gained at Lancaster assizes, [1] + which will be worth that sum by the time I come of age. Mrs. B. is, + doubtless, acquainted of this acquisition, though not apprised of its + exact _value_, of which she had better be ignorant; for her behaviour + under any sudden piece of favourable intelligence, is, if possible, + more ridiculous than her detestable conduct on the most trifling + circumstances of an unpleasant nature. You may give my compliments to + her, and say that her detaining my servant's things shall only + lengthen my absence: for unless they are immediately despatched to 16, + Piccadilly, together with those which have been so long delayed, + belonging to myself, she shall never again behold my _radiant + countenance_ illuminating her gloomy mansion. If they are sent, I may + probably appear in less than two years from the date of my present + epistle. + + Metrical compliment is an ample reward for my strains: you are one of + the few votaries of Apollo who unite the sciences over which that + deity presides. I wish you to send my poems to my lodgings in London + immediately, as I have several alterations and some additions to make; + _every_ copy must be sent, as I am about to _amend_ them, and you + shall soon behold them in all their glory. I hope you have kept them + from that upas tree, that antidote to the arts, Mrs. B. _Entre nous_, + --you may expect to see me soon. Adieu. + + Yours ever. + + + +[Footnote 1: Byron was disappointed in his expectations. Fresh legal +difficulties arose, and Newstead had to be sold before they were settled +(see page 78 [Letter 34], [Foot]note 2).] + + + + + +58.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. [1] + + My Dear Bridget,--I have only just dismounted from my _Pegasus_, which + has prevented me from descending to _plain prose_ in an epistle of + greater length to your _fair_ self. You regretted, in a former letter, + that my poems were not more extensive; I now for your satisfaction + announce that I have nearly doubled them, partly by the discovery of + some I conceived to be lost, and partly by some new productions. We + shall meet on Wednesday next; till then, believe me, + + Yours affectionately, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Your brother John is seized with a poetic mania, and is now + rhyming away at the rate of three lines _per hour_--so much for + _inspiration_! Adieu! + + + +[Footnote 1: This letter was written about September, 1806, from +Harrogate, where Byron had gone with John Pigot. It forms the conclusion +of a longer letter, written by Pigot to his sister, from which Moore +quotes ('Life', p. 37) the following passage:-- + + "Harrowgate is still extremely full; Wednesday (to-day) is our + ball-night, and I meditate going into the room for an hour, although I + am by no means fond of strange faces. Lord B., you know, is even more + shy than myself; but for an hour this evening I will shake it off.... + How do our theatricals proceed? Lord Byron can say 'all' his part, and + I 'most' of mine. He certainly acts it inimitably. Lord B. is now + 'poetising', and, since he has been here, has written some very pretty + verses ['To a Beautiful Quaker,' see 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 38-41]. He + is very good in trying to amuse me as much as possible, but it is not + in my nature to be happy without either female society or study.... + There are many pleasant rides about here, which I have taken in + company with Bo'swain, who, with Brighton, is universally admired. + 'You' must read this to Mrs. B., as it is a little 'Tony Lumpkinish'. + Lord B. desires some space left: therefore, with respect to all the + comedians 'elect', believe me," etc., etc. + + +(For the theatricals to which Mr. Pigot alludes, see page 117 [Letter +65], [Foot]note 3 [4].) Brighton, it may be added, was one of Byron's +horses; the other was called Sultan. Bo'swain was the dog to which Byron +addressed the well-known epitaph (see 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 280, 281, and +note 1). + +Moore also quotes Pigot's recollections of the visit to Harrogate +('Life', pp. 37, 38). + + "We, I remember, went in Lord Byron's own carriage, with post-horses; + and he sent his groom with two saddle-horses, and a beautifully + formed, very ferocious, bull-mastiff, called Nelson, to meet us there. + Boatswain went by the side of his valet Frank on the box, with us. + + "The bull-dog, Nelson, always wore a muzzle, and was occasionally sent + for into our private room, when the muzzle was taken off, much to my + annoyance, and he and his master amused themselves with throwing the + room into disorder. There was always a jealous feud between this + Nelson and Boatswain; and whenever he latter came into the room while + the former was there, they instantly seized each other; and then, + Byron, myself, Frank, and all the waiters that could be found, were + vigorously engaged in parting them,--which was in general only + effected by thrusting poker and tongs into the mouths of each. But, + one day, Nelson unfortunately escaped out of the room without his + muzzle, and going into the stable-yard fastened upon the throat of a + horse from which he could not be disengaged. The stable-boys ran in + alarm to find Frank, who taking one of his Lord's Wogdon's pistols, + always kept loaded in his room, shot poor Nelson through the head, to + the great regret of Byron. + + "We were at the Crown Inn, at Low Harrowgate. We always dined in the + public room, but retired very soon after dinner to our private one; + for Byron was no more a friend to drinking than myself. We lived + retired, and made few acquaintance; for he was naturally shy, 'very' + shy; which people who did not know him mistook for pride. While at + Harrowgate he accidentally met with Professor Hailstone from + Cambridge, and appeared much delighted to see him. The professor was + at Upper Harrowgate: we called upon him one evening to take him to the + theatre, I think,--and Lord Byron sent his carriage for him, another + time, to a ball at the Granby. This desire to show attention to one of + the professors of his college is a proof that, though he might choose + to satirise the mode of education in the university, and to abuse the + antiquated regulations and restrictions to which undergraduates are + subjected, he had yet a due discrimination in his respect for the + individuals who belonged to it. I have always, indeed, heard him speak + in high terms of praise of Hailstone, as well as of his master, Bishop + Mansel, of Trinity College, and of others whose names I have now + forgotten. + + "Few people understood Byron; but I know that he had naturally a kind + and feeling heart, and that there was not a single spark of malice in + his composition." + +Professor Hailstone was Woodwardian Professor of Geology (1788-1818). +(For Bishop Mansel, see page 84, note 1.)] + + + + + +59.--To John Hanson. [1] + + Southwell, Dec. 7th, 1806. + + Sir,--A Letter to Mrs. Byron has just arrived which states, from what + "you have _heard_ of the Tenor of my Letters," you will not put up + with Insult. I presume this means (for I will not be positive on what + is rather ambiguously expressed) that some offence to you has been + conveyed in the above mentioned Epistles. If you will peruse the + papers in question, you will discover that the _person_ insulted is + not _yourself_, or any one of your "_Connections_." On Mr. B.'s + apology, I have expressed my opinion in a Letter to your Son, if any + Misrepresentation has taken place, it must be those "Connections" to + whom I am to pay such Deference, & whose conduct to me has deserved + such _ample respect_. I must now beg leave to observe in turn, that I + am by no means disposed to bear Insult, &, be the consequences what + they may, I will always declare, in plain and explicit Terms, my + Grievance, nor will I overlook the slightest Mark of disrespect, & + silently brood over affronts from a mean and interested dread of + Injury to my person or property. The former I have Strength and + resolution to protect; the latter is too trifling by its Loss to + occasion a moments Uneasiness. + + Though not conversant with the methodical & dilatory arrangements of + Law or Business, I know enough of Justice to direct my conduct by the + principles of Equity, nor can I reconcile the "Insolence of office" to + her regulations or forget in an Instant a poignant Affront. + + But enough of this Dispute. You will perceive my Sentiments on the + Subject, in my correspondence with Mr. B. and Mr. H. Junior. In future + to prevent a repetition and altercation I shall advise; but as, even + then, some Demur may take place, I wish to be informed, if the + equitable Court of Chancery, whose paternal care of their Ward can + never be sufficiently commended, have determined, in the great Flow of + parental Affection, to withhold their beneficent Support, till I + return to "Alma Mater" (i.e.) Cambridge. Your Information on this + point will oblige, as a College life is neither conducive to my + Improvement, nor suitable to my Inclination. As to the reverse of the + Rochdale Trial, I received the News of Success without confidence or + exultation; I now sustain the Loss without repining. My Expectations + from _Law_ were never very sanguine. + + I remain, yr very obedt. sert., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Hanson's partner, Birch, the "Mr. B." of the letter, seems +to have irritated Byron by withholding the income allotted to him by the +Court of Chancery for his education at Cambridge. The attempt to compel +his return to Trinity by cutting off the supplies, failed. He did not +appear again at Cambridge till the summer term of 1807.] + + + + +60.--To J. Ridge. + + Dorant's Hotel, Albemarle Street, Jany. 12, 1807. + + Mr. Ridge,--I understand from some of my friends, that several of the + papers are in the habit of publishing extracts from my volume, + particularly the _Morning Herald_. I cannot say for my own part I have + observed this, but I am assured it is so. The thing is of no + consequence to me, except that I dislike it. But it is to you, and as + publisher you should put a stop to it. The _Morning Herald_ is the + paper; of course you cannot address any other, as I am sure I have + seen nothing of the kind in mine. You will act upon this as you think + proper, and proceed with the 2d. Edition as you please. I am in no + hurry, and I still think you were _premature_ in undertaking it. + + Etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Present a copy of the _Antijacobin_ therein to Mrs. Byron. + + + + + +61.--To John M. B. Pigot. + + Southwell, Jan. 13, 1807. + + I ought to begin with _sundry_ apologies, for my own negligence, but + the variety of my avocations in _prose_ and _verse_ must plead my + excuse. With this epistle you will receive a volume of all my + _Juvenilia_, published since your departure: it is of considerably + greater size than the _copy_ in your possession, which I beg you will + destroy, as the present is much more complete. That _unlucky_ poem to + my poor Mary [1] has been the cause of some animadversion from _ladies + in years_. I have not printed it in this collection, in consequence of + my being pronounced a most _profligate sinner_, in short, a "_young + Moore_," [2] by------, your----friend. I believe, in general, they + have been favourably received, and surely the age of their author will + preclude _severe_ criticism. The adventures of my life from sixteen to + nineteen, and the dissipation into which I have been thrown in London, + have given a voluptuous tint to my ideas; but the occasions which + called forth my muse could hardly admit any other colouring. This + volume is _vastly_ correct and miraculously chaste. Apropos, talking + of love, ... + + ... + + If you can find leisure to answer this farrago of unconnected + nonsense, you need not doubt what gratification will accrue from your + reply to yours ever, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: See page 104 [Letter 53], [Foot]note 2 [1].] + + +[Footnote 2: Thomas Moore (1779-1852) had already published 'Anacreon' +(1800), 'The Poetical Works of the late Thomas Little' (1801), and +'Odes, Epistles, and other Poems' (1806). In all, especially in the +second, the poetry was of an erotic character. + + "So heartily," said Rogers ('Table-Talk, etc.', pp. 281, 282), "has + Moore repented of having published 'Little's Poems', that I have seen + him shed tears--tears of deep contrition--when we were talking of + them. Young ladies read his 'Lalla Rookh' without being aware (I + presume) of the grossness of 'The Veiled Prophet'. These lines by Mr. + Sneyd are amusing enough-- + + "''Lalla Rookh' + Is a naughty book + By Tommy Moore, + Who has written four, + Each warmer + Than the former. + So the most recent + Is the least decent.'"] + + + + + +62.--To Captain John Leacroft. [1] + + + January 31, 1807. + + + Sir,--Upon serious reflection on the conversation we last night held, + I am concerned to say, that the only effectual method to crash the + animadversions of officious malevolence, is by my declining all future + intercourse with those whom my acquaintance has unintentionally + injured. At the same time I must observe that I do not form this + resolution from any resentment at your representation, which was + temperate and gentlemanly, but from a thorough conviction that the + desirable end can be attained by no other line of conduct. + + I beg leave to return my thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Leacroft, for the + attention and hospitality I have always experienced, of which I shall + ever retain a grateful remembrance. + + So much to them; with your permission, I must add a few words for + myself. You will be sensible, that a coolness between families, + hitherto remarkable for their intimacy, cannot remain unobserved in a + town, whose inhabitants are notorious for officious curiosity; that + the causes for our separation will be mis-represented I have little + doubt; if, therefore, I discover that such misrepresentation does take + place, I shall call upon you, to unite with myself in making a serious + example of those _men_, be they _who_ they may, that dare to cast an + aspersion on the character I am sacrificing my own comfort to protect. + + If, on the other hand, they imagine, that my conduct is the + consequence of intimidation, from my conference with you, I must + require a further explanation of what passed between us on the + subject, as, however careful I am of your Sister's honour, I am + equally tenacious of my own. + + I do not wish this to be misconstrued into any desire to quarrel; it + is what I shall endeavour to avoid; but, as a young man very lately + entered into the world, I feel compelled to state, that I can permit + no suspicion to be attached to my name with impunity. + + I have the honour to remain, + + Your very obedient Servant, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: This and the two following letters refer to a quarrel +between Byron and the Leacroft family, which arose from his attentions +to Miss Julia Leacroft. Moore's statement, that Captain Leacroft, the +lady's brother (see page 34 [Letter 12], [foot]note 3), sent a challenge +to Byron, who was at first inclined to accept it, is inaccurate. But it +is possible that Byron was acting on the advice of the Rev. J. T. +Becher, when he decided, in order to prevent misunderstanding, to break +off his acquaintance with the Leacrofts absolutely.] + + + +63.--To Captain John Leacroft. + + February 4th, 1807. + + Sir,--I have just received your note, which conveys all that can be + said on the subject. I can easily conceive your feelings must have + been irritated in the course of the affair. I am sorry that I have + been the unintentional cause of so disagreeable a business. The line + of conduct, however painful to myself, which I have adopted, is the + only effectual method to prevent the remarks of a _meddling world_. I + therefore again take my leave for the last time. I repeat, that, + though the intercourse, from which I have derived so many hours of + happiness, is for ever interrupted, the remembrance can never be + effaced from the bosom of + + Your very obedient Servant, + + BYRON. + + + + + +64.--To Captain John Leacroft. + +February 4th, 1807. + +Sir,--I am concerned to be obliged again to trouble you, as I had hoped +that our conversations had terminated amicably. Your good Father, it +seems, has desired otherwise; he has just sent a most _agreeable_ +epistle, in which I am honoured with the appellations of _unfeeling_ and +ungrateful. But as the consequences of all this must ultimately fall on +you and myself, I merely write this to apprise you that the dispute is +not of my seeking, and that, if we must cut each other's throats to +please our relations, you will do me the justice to say it is from no +_personal_ animosity between us, or from any insult on my part, that +such _disagreeable_ events (for I am not so much enamoured of quarrels +as to call them _pleasant_) have arisen. + +I remain, your's, etc., + +BYRON. + + + + + +65.-To the Earl of Clare. [1] + + Southwell, Notts, February 6, 1807. + + My Dearest Clare,--Were I to make all the apologies necessary to atone + for my late negligence, you would justly say you had received a + petition instead of a letter, as it would be filled with prayers for + forgiveness; but instead of this, I will acknowledge my _sins_ at + once, and I trust to your friendship and generosity rather than to my + own excuses. Though my health is not perfectly re-established, I am + out of all danger, and have recovered every thing but my spirits, + which are subject to depression. You will be astonished to hear I have + lately written to Delawarr, [2] for the purpose of explaining (as far + as possible without involving some _old friends_ of mine in the + business) the cause of my behaviour to him during my last residence at + Harrow (nearly two years ago), which you will recollect was rather + "_en cavalier_." Since that period, I have discovered he was treated + with injustice both by those who misrepresented his conduct, and by me + in consequence of their suggestions. I have therefore made all the + reparation in my power, by apologizing for my mistake, though with + very faint hopes of success; indeed I never expected any answer, but + desired one for form's sake; _that_ has not yet arrived, and most + probably never will. However, I have _eased_ my own _conscience_ by + the atonement, which is humiliating enough to one of my disposition; + yet I could not have slept satisfied with the reflection of having, + _even unintentionally_, injured any individual. I have done all that + could be done to repair the injury, and there the affair must end. + Whether we renew our intimacy or not is of very trivial consequence. + + My time has lately been much occupied with very different pursuits. I + have been _transporting_ a servant, [3] who cheated me,--rather a + disagreeable event;--performing in private theatricals; + [4]--publishing a volume of poems (at the request of my friends, for + their perusal);--making love,--and taking physic. The two last + amusements have not had the best effect in the world; for my + attentions have been divided amongst so many fair damsels, and the + drugs I swallow are of such variety in their composition, that between + Venus and Æsculapius I am harassed to death. However, I have still + leisure to devote some hours to the recollections of past, regretted + friendships, and in the interval to take the advantage of the moment, + to assure you how much I am, and ever will be, my dearest Clare, + + Your truly attached and sincere + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: John Fitzgibbon (1792-1851), son of the first Earl of +Clare, by his wife Anne Whaley, succeeded his father as second Earl in +January, 1802. A schoolfellow of Byron's at Harrow, he was the "Lycus" +of "Childish Recollections," and one of his dearest friends. Clare, +after leaving Harrow, went to a private tutor, the Rev. Mr. Smith, at +Woodnesborough, near Sandwich. There he formed so close a friendship +with Lord John Russell as to provoke Byron's jealousy ('Life', p. 21). +Clare was at Christ Church, Oxford (B.A. 1812); Byron at Trinity, +Cambridge. They rarely met after leaving Harrow. Their meeting on the +road between Imola and Bologna in 1821, + + "annihilated for a moment," says Byron (see 'Life', p. 540; 'Detached + Thoughts', November 5, 1821), "all the years between the present time + and the days of Harrow. We were but five minutes together, and on the + public road; but I hardly recollect an hour of my existence which + could be weighed against them. Of all I have ever known, he has always + been the least altered in everything from the excellent qualities and + kind affections which attached me to him so strongly at school. I + should hardly have thought it possible for society (or the world, as + it is called) to leave a being with so little of the leaven of bad + passions. I do not speak from personal experience only, but from all I + have ever heard of him from others, during absence and distance." + +Lord Clare was Governor of Bombay from 1830 to 1834.] + + +[Footnote 2: See page 41 [Letter 14], note 1 [Footnote 5].] + + +[Footnote 3: See page 81 [Letter 38], [Foot]note 1.] + + +[Footnote 4: In the theatricals, which took place at Southwell in the +autumn of 1806, Byron was the chief mover. A letter received by Mr. +Pigot, quoted by Moore ('Life', p. 38), shows how eagerly his return +from Harrogate was expected:-- + + "Tell Lord Byron that, if any accident should retard his return, his + mother desires he will write to her, as she shall be 'miserable' if he + does not arrive the day he fixes. Mr. W. B. has written a card to Mrs. + H. to offer for the character of 'Henry Woodville,'--Mr. and Mrs.---- + not approving of their son's taking a part in the play: but I believe + he will persist in it. Mr. G. W. says, that sooner than the party + should be disappointed, 'he' will take any part,--sing--dance--in + short, do any thing to oblige. Till Lord Byron returns, nothing can be + done; and positively he must not be later than Tuesday or Wednesday." + +A full account of the theatricals is given in a manuscript written by +Miss Bristoe, one of the performers. Two plays were represented, (1) +Cumberland's 'Wheel of Fortune' and (2) Allingham's 'Weathercock'. The +following were the respective casts:-- + +(1) 'Penruddock', Lord Byron. + 'Sir David Daw', Mr. C. Becher. + 'Woodville', Captain Lightfoot. + 'Sydenham', Mr. Pigot. + 'Henry Woodville', Mr. H. Houson. + 'Mrs. Woodville', Miss Bristoe. + 'Emily Tempest', Miss J. Leacroft + 'Dame Dunckley', Miss Leacroft. + 'Weazel', Mr. G. Wylde. + 'Jenkins', Mr. G. Heathcote. + +(2) 'Tristram Fickle', Lord Byron. + 'Old Fickle', Mr. Pigot. + 'Briefwit', Captain Lightfoot. + 'Sneer', Mr. R. Leacroft. + 'Variella', Miss Bristoe. + 'Ready', Miss Leacroft. + 'Gardener', Mr. C. Becher. + 'Barber', Mr. G. Wylde. + +Between the two plays, a member of the Southwell choir sang "The Death +of Abercrombie." The brave General, attended by two aides-de-camp, all +three in the costume of the Southwell volunteers, appeared on the stage, +and the General, sinking into the outstretched arms of his two friends, +warbled out his dying words in a style which convulsed Byron with +laughter. + +The play itself nearly came to an untimely conclusion. Captain Lightfoot +screwed his failing courage to the sticking point by several glasses of +wine, with the result that, being a very abstemious man, he became +tipsy. But "restoratives were administered," and he went through his +part with credit. Byron, who was the star of the company, repeatedly +brought down the house by his acting. + +(For Byron's Prologue to 'The Wheel of Fortune', see 'Poems', vol. i. +pp. 45, 46.) Moore's account of the epilogue, written by the Rev. J. T. +Becher, and spoken by Byron, is erroneous. Only one word gave any +opportunity for mimicry. It occurs in the lines-- + +"Tempest becalmed forgets his blust'ring rage, +He calls Dame Dunckley 'sister' off the stage." + +In pronouncing the word "sister," Byron "took off exactly the voice and +manner of Mr. R. Leacroft."] + + + + + +66.--To Mrs. Hanson. + + Southwell, Feb. 8, 1807. + + Dear Madam,--Having understood from Mrs. Byron that Mr. Hanson is in a + very indifferent State of Health, I have taken the Liberty of + addressing you on the Subject. + + Though the _Governor_ & _I_ have lately not been on the _best_ of + _Terms_, yet I should be extremely sorry to learn he was in Danger, + and I trust _he_ and _I_ will live to have many more _Squabbles_ in + _this world_, before we _finally make peace_ in the next. If therefore + you can favor me with any _salutary_ Intelligence of the _aforesaid_ + Gentleman, believe me, nothing will be more acceptable to + + Yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Remember me to all the family now in _Garrison_, particularly my + old Friend Harriet. + + + + + +67.--To William Bankes. [1] + + + Southwell, March 6, 1807. + + + Dear Bankes,--Your critique is valuable for many reasons: in the first + place, it is the only one in which flattery has borne so slight a + part; in the _next_, I am _cloyed_ with insipid compliments. I have a + better opinion of your judgment and ability than your _feelings_. + Accept my most sincere thanks for your kind decision, not less + welcome, because totally unexpected. With regard to a more exact + estimate, I need not remind you how few of the _best poems_, in our + language, will stand the test of _minute_ or _verbal_ criticism: it + can, therefore, hardly be expected the effusions of a boy (and most of + these pieces have been produced at an early period) can derive much + merit either from the subject or composition. Many of them were + written under great depression of spirits, and during severe + indisposition:--hence the gloomy turn of the ideas. We coincide in + opinion that the "_poësies érotiques_" are the most exceptionable; + they were, however, grateful to the _deities_, on whose altars they + were offered--more I seek not. + + The portrait of Pomposus [2] was drawn at Harrow, after a _long + sitting_; this accounts for the resemblance, or rather the + _caricatura_. He is _your_ friend, he _never was mine_--for both our + sakes I shall be silent on this head. The _collegiate_ rhymes [3] are + not personal--one of the notes may appear so, but could not be + omitted. I have little doubt they will be deservedly abused--a just + punishment for my unfilial treatment of so excellent an Alma Mater. I + sent you no copy, lest _we_ should be placed in the situation of _Gil + Blas_ and the _Archbishop_ of Grenada; [4] though running some hazard + from the experiment, I wished your _verdict_ to be unbiassed. Had my + "_Libellus_" been presented previous to your letter, it would have + appeared a species of bribe to purchase compliment. I feel no + hesitation in saying, I was more anxious to hear your critique, + however severe, than the praises of the _million_. On the same day I + was honoured with the encomiums of _Mackenzie_, the celebrated author + of the _Man of Feeling_ [5] Whether _his_ approbation or _yours_ + elated me most, I cannot decide. + + You will receive my _Juvenilia_,--at least all yet published. I have a + large volume in manuscript, which may in part appear hereafter; at + present I have neither time nor inclination to prepare it for the + press. In the spring I shall return to Trinity, to dismantle my rooms, + and bid you a final adieu. The _Cam_ will not be much increased by my + _tears_ on the occasion. Your further remarks, however _caustic_ or + bitter, to a palate vitiated with the _sweets of adulation_, will be + of service. Johnson has shown us _that no poetry_ is perfect; but to + correct mine would be an Herculean labour. In fact I never looked + beyond the moment of composition, and published merely at the request + of my friends. Notwithstanding so much has been said concerning the + "Genus irritabile vatum," we shall never quarrel on the + subject--poetic fame is by no means the "acme" of my wishes.--Adieu. + Yours ever, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: William John Bankes, of Kingston Lacy, Dorsetshire, was +Byron's friend, possibly at Harrow, though his name does not occur in +the school lists, certainly at Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A. 1808). +He represented Truro from 1810 to 1812, when he left England on his +Eastern travels. At Philæ he discovered an obelisk, the geometrical +elevation and inscriptions of which he published in 1820. In Mesopotamia +he encountered John Silk Buckingham, whom he afterwards charged with +making use of his notes in his 'Travels', a statement, found to be +libellous, which (October 19, 1826) cost Bankes £400 in damages. He also +travelled with Giovanni Finati, a native of Ferrara, who, under the +assumed name of Mahomet, made the campaigns against the Wahabees for the +recovery of Mecca and Medina. Finati's Italian 'Narrative' was +translated by Bankes, to whom it is dedicated by his "attached and +faithful servant Hadjee Mahomet," and published in 1830. In 1822 Bankes +was elected M.P. for Cambridge University, but lost his seat to Sir J. +Copley in 1826. At a bye-election in 1827, he was again unsuccessful. +His candidature gave occasion to Macaulay's squib, which appeared in the +'Times' for May 14, 1827, 'A Country Clergyman's Trip to Cambridge'. + + "A letter--and free--bring it here: + I have no correspondent who franks. + No! Yes! Can it be? Why, my dear, + 'Tis our glorious, our Protestant Bankes. + + 'Dear Sir as I know your desire + That the Church should receive due protection, + I humbly presume to require + Your aid at the Cambridge election,'"etc., etc. + +Bankes subsequently represented Marlborough (1829-1832) and Dorsetshire +(1833-1834). He was Byron's "collegiate pastor, and master and patron," +"ruled the roast" at Trinity, "or, rather, the 'roasting', and was +father of all mischief" (Byron to Murray, October 12, 1820). "William +Bankes," Byron told Lady Blessington ('Conversations', p. 172), "is +another of my early friends. He is very clever, very original, and has +a fund of information: he is also very good-natured, but he is not much +of a flatterer." Bankes died at Venice in 1855.] + + +[Footnote 2: Dr. Butler, Head-master of Harrow. (See page 58 [Letter +22],[Foot]note 1.)] + + +[Footnote 3: "Thoughts suggested by a College Examination" ('Poems', +vol. i. pp. 28-31); and "Granta, A Medley" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 56-62).] + + +[Footnote 4: Alluding to 'Gil Blas', bk. vii. chap, iv., where Gil Blas +ventures to criticize the Archbishop's work, and is dismissed for his +candour. + + "Adieu, monsieur Gil Blas; Je vous souhaite toutes sortes de + prosperités, avec un peu plus de goût."] + + +[Footnote 5: The praise was worth having. Henry Mackenzie (1745-1831) +was not only the author of the lackadaisical 'Man of Feeling', but in +real life a shrewd, hard-headed man. As a novelist, he wrote 'The Man of +Feeling' (1771), 'The Man of Honour' (1773), and 'Julia de Roubigne' +(1777). As a playwright, he produced four plays, none of which +succeeded. As an essayist, he contributed to the 'Mirror' (1779-80) and +the 'Lounger' (1785-86). As a political writer, he supported Pitt, and +was rewarded by the comptrollership of taxes. An original member of the +Royal Society of Edinburgh, many of his papers appear in its +'Transactions'. In Edinburgh society he was "the life of the company," a +connecting link on the literary side between David Hume, Walter Scott, +and Lord Cockburn, and in all matters of sport a fund of anecdotes and +reminiscences.] + + + + + +68.--To William Bankes. [1] + + + For my own part, I have suffered severely in the decease of my two + greatest friends, the only beings I ever loved (females excepted); I + am therefore a solitary animal, miserable enough, and so perfectly a + citizen of the world, that whether I pass my days in Great Britain or + Kamschatka, is to me a matter of perfect indifference. I cannot evince + greater respect for your alteration than by immediately adopting + it--this shall be done in the next edition. I am sorry your remarks + are not more frequent, as I am certain they would be equally + beneficial. Since my last, I have received two critical opinions from + Edinburgh, both too flattering for me to detail. One is from Lord + Woodhouselee, [2] at the head of the Scotch literati, and a most + _voluminous_ writer (his last work is a _Life_ of Lord Kaimes); the + other from Mackenzie, who sent his decision a second time, more at + length. I am not personally acquainted with either of these gentlemen, + nor ever requested their sentiments on the subject: their praise is + voluntary, and transmitted through the medium of a friend, at whose + house they read the productions. + + Contrary to my former intention, I am now preparing a volume for the + public at large: my amatory pieces will be exchanged, and others + substituted in their place. The whole will be considerably enlarged, + and appear the latter end of May. This is a hazardous experiment; but + want of better employment, the encouragement I have met with, and my + own vanity, induce me to stand the test, though not without _sundry + palpitations_. The book will circulate fast enough in this country + from mere curiosity; what I prin----... + + [letter incomplete] + + + +[Footnote 1: This fragment refers, like the previous letter, to Byron's +volume of verse, 'Poems on Various Occasions'.] + + +[Footnote 2: Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee, one of the +Senators of the College of Justice in Scotland, and a friend of Robert +Burns. Besides the 'Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Hon. Henry +Home of Kames' (1807), he published 'Elements of General History' +(1801), 'Essay on the Principles of Translation', etc. He died in 1813. +His 'Universal History', in six vols., appeared in 1834.] + + + + + +69.--To----Falkner. [1] + + Sir,--The volume of little pieces which accompanies this, would have + been presented before, had I not been apprehensive that Miss Falkner's + indisposition might render some trifles unwelcome. There are some + errors of the printer which I have not had time to correct in the + collection: you have it thus, with "all its imperfections on its + head," a heavy weight, when joined with the faults of its author. Such + _Juvenilia_, as they can claim no great degree of approbation, I may + venture to hope, will also escape the severity of uncalled for, though + perhaps _not_ undeserved, criticism. + + They were written on many and various occasions, and are now published + merely for the perusal of a friendly circle. Believe me, sir, if they + afford the slightest amusement to yourself and the rest of my _social_ + readers, I shall have gathered all the _bays_ I ever wish to adorn the + head of yours very truly, + + BYRON. + +P.S.--I hope Miss F. is in a state of recovery. + + + +[Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron's landlord at Burgage Manor.] + + + + + +70.--To John Hanson. + + + [Farleigh House, Basingstoke, Hants.] + + Southwell, April 2nd, 1807. + + + Dear Sir,--Before I proceed in Reply to the other parts of your + Epistle, allow me to congratulate you on the _Accession_ of _Dignity_ + and _profit_, which will doubtless accrue, from your official + appointment. + + You was fortunate in obtaining Possession at so critical a period; + your Patrons "exeunt omnes." [1] I trust they will soon supersede the + Cyphers, their successors. The Reestablishment of your Health is + another happy event, and, though _secondary_ in my _Statement_, is by + no means so in my _Wishes_. As to our Feuds, they are purely + _official_, the natural consequence of our relative Situations, but as + little connected with _personal animosity_, as the _Florid + Declamations_ of _parliamentary_ Demagogues. I return you my thanks + for your favorable opinion of my muse; I have lately been honoured + with many very flattering literary critiques, from men of high + Reputation in the Sciences, particularly Lord Woodhouselee and Henry + Mackenzie, both _Scots_ and of great Eminence as Authors themselves. I + have received also some most favorable Testimonies from _Cambridge_. + This you will _marvel_ at, as indeed I did myself. Encouraged by these + and several other Encomiums, I am about to publish a Volume at large; + this will be very different from the present; the amatory effusions, + not to be wondered at from the _dissipated_ Life I have led, will be + cut out, and others substituted. I coincide with you in opinion that + the _Poet_ yields to the _orator_; but as nothing can be done in the + latter capacity till the Expiration of my _Minority_, the former + occupies my present attention, and both _ancients_ and _moderns_ have + declared that the two pursuits are so nearly similar as to require in + a great measure the same Talents, and he who excels in the one, would + on application succeed in the other. Lyttleton, Glover, and Young (who + was a celebrated Preacher and a Bard) are instances of the kind. + _Sheridan & Fox_ also; _these_ are _great Names_. I may imitate, I can + never equal them. + + You speak of the _Charms_ of Southwell; the _Place_ I _abhor_. The + Fact is I remain here because I can appear no where else, being + _completely done_ up. _Wine_ and _Women_ have _dished_ your _humble + Servant_, not a _Sou_ to be _had_; all _over_; condemned to exist (I + cannot say live) at this _Crater_ of Dullness till my _Lease_ of + _Infancy_ expires. To appear at Cambridge is impossible; no money even + to pay my College expences. You will be surprized to hear I am grown + _very thin_; however it is the _Fact_, so much so, that the people + here think I am _going_. I have lost 18 LB in my weight, that is one + Stone & 4 pounds since January, this was ascertained last Wednesday, + on account of a _Bet_ with an acquaintance. However don't be alarmed; + I have taken every means to accomplish the end, by violent exercise + and Fasting, as I found myself too plump. I shall continue my + Exertions, having no other amusement; I wear _seven_ Waistcoats and a + great Coat, run, and play at cricket in this Dress, till quite + exhausted by excessive perspiration, use the Hip Bath daily; eat only + a quarter of a pound of Butcher's Meat in 24 hours, no Suppers or + Breakfast, only one Meal a Day; drink no malt liquor, but a little + Wine, and take Physic occasionally. By these means my _Ribs_ display + Skin of no great Thickness, & my Clothes have been taken in nearly + _half a yard_. Do you believe me now? + + Adieu. Remembrance to Spouse and the Acorns. + + Yours ever, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: In March, 1807, George III demanded from the Coalition +Ministry a written pledge that they would propose no further concessions +to the Roman Catholics. They refused to give it, and the Tories, with +the Duke of Portland as their nominal head, were recalled to the +Government.] + + + + + +71.--To John M. B. Pigot. + + Southwell, April, 1807. + + My Dear Pigot,--Allow me to congratulate you on the success of your + first examination--"_Courage_, mon ami." The title of Doctor will do + wonders with the damsels. I shall most probably be in Essex or London + when you arrive at this damned place, where I am detained by the + publication of my _rhymes_. + + Adieu.--Believe me, + + Yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Since we met, I have reduced myself by violent exercise, _much_ + physic, and _hot_ bathing, from 14 stone 6 lb. to 12 stone 7 lb. In + all I have lost 27 pounds. [1] Bravo!--what say you? + + + + +[Footnote 1: The following extract is taken from a ledger in the +possession of Messrs. Merry, of St. James's Street, S.W.:-- + +"1806--January 4. Lord Byron (boots, no hat) 13 stone 12 lbs +1807--July 8. Lord Byron (shoes) 10 stone 13 lbs +1807--July 23. Lord Byron (shoes) 11 stone 0 lbs +1807--August 13. Lord Byron (shoes) 10 stone 11-1/2 lbs +1808--May 27. Lord Byron (shoes) 11 stone 1 lbs +1809--June 10. Lord Byron (shoes) 11 stone 5-3/4 lbs +1811--July 15. Lord Byron (shoes) 9 stone 11-1/2 lbs"] + + + + + +72.--To John Hanson. + + + [6, Chancery Lane, Temple Bar, London.] + + Southwell, 19 April, 1807. + + + Sir,--My last was an Epistle "_entre nous_;" _this_ is a _Letter_ of + _Business_, Of course the _formalities_ of _official communication_ + must be attended to. From lying under pecuniary difficulties, I shall + draw for the Quarter due the 25th June, in a short Time. You will + recollect I was to receive £100 for the Expence of Furniture, etc., at + Cambridge. I placed in your possession accounts to amount and then I + have received £70, for which I believe you have my Receipt. This extra + £25 or £30 (though the Bills are long ago discharged from my own + purse) I should not have troubled you for, had not my present + Situation rendered even that Trifle of some Consequence. I have + therefore to request that my Draft for £150, instead of £125 the + simple Quarter, may be honoured, but think it necessary to apprize you + previous to its appearance, and indeed to request an early Answer, as + I had one Draft returned by Mistake from your _House_, some Months + past. I have no Inclination to be placed in a similar Dilemma. + + I lent Mrs. B. _£60_ last year; of this I have never received a Sou and + in all probability never shall. I do not mention the circumstance as + any Reproach on that worthy and lamblike Dame, [1] but merely to show + you how affairs stand. 'Tis true myself and two Servants lodge in the + House, but my Horses, etc., and their expences are defrayed by your + humble Sert. I quit Cambridge in July, and shall have considerable + payments to make at that period; for this purpose I must sell my + _Steeds_. I paid Jones in January £150, £38 to my Stable Keeper, £21 + to my wine Merchant, £20 to a _Lawyer_ for the prosecution of a + Scoundrel, a late Servant. In short I have done all I can, but am now + completely _done_ up. + + Your answer will oblige + + Yours, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron, on the other hand, tells a different story. + + "Lord Byron," she writes to Hanson (March 19, 1807), "has now been + with me seven months, with two Men Servants, for which I have never + received one farthing, as he requires the five hundred a year for + himself. Therefore it is impossible I can keep him and them out of my + small income of four hundred a year,--two in Scotland [Mrs. Gordon of + Gight (see Chapter I. p. 4) was dead], and the pension is now reduced + to two hundred a year. But if the Court allows the additional two + hundred, I shall be perfectly satisfied. + + "I do not know what to say about Byron's returning to Cambridge. When + he was there, I believe he did nothing but drink, gamble, and spend + money." + +A month later (April 29, 1807), she consults Hanson about raising £1000 +by a loan from Mrs. Parkyns on her security. + + "Byron from their last letter gave up all hopes of getting the money, + and behaved very well on the occasion, and proposed selling his Horses + and plans of OEconomy that I much fear will be laid aside if the Money + is procured. My only motive for wishing it was to keep him clear of + the Jews; but at present he does not seem at all disposed to have + anything to do with them, even if he is disappointed in this resource. + I wish to act for the best: but God knows what is for the best." + +Eventually money was provided on Mrs. Byron's security (see Letters of +March 6 [Letter 117] and April 26 [Letter 121], 1809), and he resided at +Trinity for a few days at the end of the May term, 1807. + + + + + +73.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + June 11, 1807. + + Dear Queen Bess,--_Savage_ ought to be _immortal_:--though not a + _thorough-bred bull-dog_, he is the finest puppy I ever _saw_, and + will answer much better; in his great and manifold kindness he has + already bitten my fingers, and disturbed the _gravity_ of old + Boatswain, who is _grievously discomposed_. I wish to be informed what + he _costs_, his _expenses_, etc., etc., that I may indemnify Mr. + G----. My thanks are _all_ I can give for the trouble he has taken, + make a _long speech_, and conclude it with 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. [1] I am out + of practice, so _deputize_ you as a legate,--_ambassador_ would not do + in a matter concerning the _Pope_, which I presume this must, as the + _whole_ turns upon a _Bull_. + + Yours, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--I write in bed. + + + +[Footnote 1: He here alludes to an odd fancy or trick of his own; +--whenever he was at a loss for something to say, he used always to +gabble over "1 2 3 4 5 6 7" (Moore).] + + + + + +74.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + Cambridge, June 30, 1807. + + "Better late than never, Pal," [1] is a saying of which you know the + origin, and as it is applicable on the present occasion, you will + excuse its conspicuous place in the front of my epistle. I am almost + superannuated here. My old friends (with the exception of a very few) + all departed, and I am preparing to follow them, but remain till + Monday to be present at three _Oratorios_, two _Concerts_, a _Fair_, + and a Ball. I find I am not only _thinner_ but _taller_ by an inch + since my last visit. I was obliged to tell every body my _name_, + nobody having the least recollection of my _visage_, or person. Even + the hero of _my Cornelian_ [2] (who is now sitting _vis-à-vis_ reading + a volume of my _Poetics_) passed me in Trinity walks without + recognising me in the least, and was thunderstruck at the alteration + which had taken place in my countenance, etc., etc. Some say I look + _better_, others _worse_, but all agree I am _thinner_,--more I do not + require. I have lost two pounds in my weight since I left your + _cursed_, _detestable_, and _abhorred_ abode of _scandal_, where, + excepting yourself and John Becher, [3] I care not if the whole race + were consigned to the _Pit of Acheron_, which I would visit in person + rather than contaminate my _sandals_ with the polluted dust of + Southwell. _Seriously_, unless obliged by the _emptiness_ of my purse + to revisit Mrs. B., you will see me no more. + + On Monday I depart for London. I quit Cambridge with little regret, + because our _set_ are _vanished_, and my _musical protégé_ 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 will suppose, very glad to + see his former _Patron_. 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. + Every body here conceives me to be an _invalid_. The University at + present is very gay from the fètes of divers kinds. I supped out last + night, but eat (or ate) nothing, sipped a bottle of claret, went to + bed at two, and rose at eight. I have commenced early rising, and find + it agrees with me. The Masters and the Fellows all very _polite_, but + look a little _askance_--don't much admire _lampoons_ [4]--truth + always disagreeable. + + Write, and tell me how the inhabitants of your _Menagerie_ go _on_, + and if my publication goes _off_ well: do the quadrupeds _growl_? + Apropos, my bull-dog is deceased--"Flesh both of cur and man is + grass." Address your answer to Cambridge. If I am gone, it will be + forwarded. Sad news just arrived--Russians beat [5]--a bad set, eat + nothing but _oil_, consequently must melt before a _hard fire_. I get + awkward in my academic habiliments for want of practice. Got up in a + window to hear the oratorio at St. Mary's, popped down in the middle + of the _Messiah_, tore a _woeful_ rent in the back of my best black + silk gown, and damaged an egregious pair of breeches. Mem.--never + tumble from a church window during service. Adieu, dear----! do + not remember me to any body:--to _forget_ and be forgotten by the + people of Southwell is all I aspire to. + + + +[Footnote 1: The allusion is to the farce _Better Late than Never_ +(attributed to Miles Peter Andrews, but really, according to Reynolds +(_Life_, vol. ii. pp. 79, 80), by himself, Topham, and Andrews), in +which Pallet, an artist, is a prominent character. It was played at +Drury Lane for the first time October 17, 1790, with Kemble as "Saville" +and Mrs. Jordan as "Augusta."] + + +[Footnote 2: "The hero of _my Cornelian_" was a Cambridge chorister +named Edleston, whose life, as Harness has recorded in a MS. note, Byron +saved from drowning. This began their acquaintance. (See Byron's lines +on "The Cornelian," _Poems_, vol. i. 66-67.) Edleston died of +consumption in May, 1811. Byron, writing to Mrs. Pigot, gives the +following account of his death:-- + + "Cambridge, Oct. 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 _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's 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. + + "P.S.--I go to London to-morrow." + +The cornelian heart was, of course, returned, and Lord Byron, at the +same time, reminded that he had left it with Miss Pigot as a deposit, +_not_ a gift (Moore).] + + +[Footnote 3: See page 182 [Letter 94], [Foot]note 1 [2].] + + +[Footnote 4: See "Thoughts suggested by a College Examination" (_Poems_, +vol. i. pp. 28-31), also "Granta: a Medley" (_Poems_, vol. i. pp. +56-62).] + + +[Footnote 5: The Battle of Friedland, June 15, 1807. This is almost the +first allusion that Byron makes to the war.] + + + + + +75.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + + Trin. Coll. Camb. July 5, 1807. + + + Since my last letter I have determined to reside _another year_ at + Granta, as my rooms, etc., etc., are finished in great style, several + old friends come up again, and many new acquaintances made; + consequently my inclination leads me forward, and I shall return to + college in October if still _alive_. My life here has been one + continued routine of dissipation--out at different places every day, + engaged to more dinners, etc., etc., than my _stay_ would permit me to + fulfil. 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_" + 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. To-morrow I set out for London: + you will address your answer to "Gordon's Hotel, Albemarle Street," + where I _sojourn_ during my visit to the metropolis. + + 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 _manners_ 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_ [1] 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. + + The Marquis of Tavistock [2] was down the other day; I supped with him + at his tutor's--entirely a Whig party. The opposition muster strong + here now, and Lord Hartington, the Duke of Leinster, etc., etc., are + to join us in October, so every thing will be _splendid_. The _music_ + is all over at present. Met with another "_accidency_"--upset a + butter-boat in the lap of a lady--look'd very _blue_--_spectators_ + grinned--"curse 'em!" Apropos, sorry to say, been _drunk_ every day, + and not quite _sober_ yet--however, touch no meat, nothing but fish, + soup, and vegetables, consequently it does me no harm--sad dogs all + the _Cantabs_. Mem.--_we mean_ to reform next January. This place is a + _monotony of endless variety_--like it--hate Southwell. Has Ridge sold + well? or do the ancients demur? What ladies have bought? + + Saw a girl at St. Mary's the image of Anne----, [3] thought it was + her--all in the wrong--the lady stared, so did I--I _blushed_, so did + _not_ the lady,--sad thing--wish women had _more modesty_. Talking of + women, puts me in mind of my terrier Fanny--how is she? Got a + headache, must go to bed, up early in the morning to travel. My + _protégé_ breakfasts with me; parting spoils my appetite--excepting + from Southwell. Mem. _I hate Southwell_. + + Yours, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: Lady Eleanor Butler (c. 1745-1829), sister of the +seventeenth Earl of Ormonde, and Sarah Ponsonby (circ. 1755-1831), +cousin of the Earl of Bessborough, were the two "Ladies of the Vale," or +"Ladies of Llangollen." About the year 1779 they settled in a cottage at +Plasnewydd, in the Vale of Llangollen, where they lived, with their +maidservant, Mary Caryll, for upwards of half a century. They are +buried, with their servant, in the churchyard of Plasnewydd, under a +triangular pyramid. Though they had withdrawn from the world, they +watched its proceedings with the keenest interest. + + "If," writes Mrs. Piozzi, from Brynbella, July 9, 1796, "Mr. Bunbury's + 'Little Gray Man' is printed, do send it hither; the ladies at + Llangollen are dying for it. They like those old Scandinavian tales + and the imitations of them exceedingly; and tell me about the prince + and princess of 'this' loyal country, one province of which alone had + disgraced itself" + +('Life and Writings of Mrs. Piozzi', vol. ii. p. 234). Nor did they +despise the theatre. Charles Mathews ('Memoirs', vol. iii. pp. 150, +151), writing from Oswestry, September 4, 1820, says, + + "The dear inseparable inimitables, Lady Butler and Miss Ponsonby, were + in the boxes here on Friday. They came twelve miles from Llangollen, + and returned, as they never sleep from home. Oh, such curiosities! I + was nearly convulsed.... As they are seated, there is not one point to + distinguish them from men; the dressing and powdering of the hair; + their well-starched neckcloths; the upper part of their habits, which + they always wear, even at a dinner-party, made precisely like men's + coats; and regular black beaver men's hats. They looked exactly like + two respectable superannuated old clergymen.... I was highly + flattered, as they never were in the theatre before." + +Among the many people who visited them in their retreat, and have left +descriptions of them, are Madame de Genlis, De Quincey, Prince +Pückler-Muskau. Their friendships were sung by Sotheby and Anne Seward, +and their cottage was depicted by Pennant. + + "It is very singular," writes John Murray, August 24, 1829, to his son + ('Memoir of John Murray', vol. ii. p. 304), + + "that the ladies, intending to 'retire' from the world, absolutely + brought all the world to visit them, for after a few years of + seclusion their strange story was the universal subject of + conversation, and there has been no person of rank, talent, and + importance in any way who did not procure introductions to them." + + +[Footnote 2: Lord Tavistock's experience at Cambridge resembled that of +Byron. He had received only a "pretended education," and the Duke of +Bedford had come to the conclusion that "nothing was learned at English +Universities." "Tavistock left Cambridge in May," Lord J. Russell notes +in his Diary for 1808, "having been there in supposition two years" +(Walpole's 'Life of Lord John Russell', vol. i. pp. 44 and 35).] + + +[Footnote 3: Probably Miss Anne Houson, daughter of the Rev. Henry +Houson of Southwell. She married the Rev. Luke Jackson, died December +25, 1821, and is buried at Hucknall Torkard. (For verses addressed to +her, see 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 70-2, 244-45, 246-47, 251-52, 253.)] + + + + + +76.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + + Gordon's Hotel, July 13, 1807. + + + You write most excellent epistles--a fig for other correspondents, + with their nonsensical apologies for "_knowing nought about it_"--you + send me a delightful budget. I am here in a perpetual vortex of + dissipation (very pleasant for all that), and, strange to tell, I get + thinner, being now below eleven stone considerably. Stay in town a + _month_, perhaps six weeks, trip into Essex, and then, as a favour, + _irradiate_ Southwell for three days with the light of my countenance; + but nothing shall ever make me _reside_ there again. I positively + return to Cambridge in October; we are to be uncommonly gay, or in + truth I should _cut_ the University. An extraordinary circumstance + occurred to me at Cambridge; a girl so very like----made her + appearance, that nothing but the most _minute inspection_ could have + undeceived me. I wish I had asked if _she_ had ever been at H---- + + What the devil would Ridge have? is not fifty in a fortnight, before + the advertisements, a sufficient sale? [1] I hear many of the London + booksellers have them, and Crosby [2] has sent copies to the principal + watering places. Are they liked or not in Southwell? ... I wish + Boatswain had _swallowed_ Damon! How is Bran? by the immortal gods, + Bran ought to be a _Count_ of the _Holy Roman Empire_. + + The intelligence of London cannot be interesting to you, who have + rusticated all your life--the annals of routs riots, balls and + boxing-matches, cards and crim. cons., parliamentary discussion, + political details, masquerades, mechanics, Argyle Street Institution + and aquatic races, love and lotteries, Brookes's and Buonaparte, + opera-singers and oratorios, wine, women, wax-work, and weathercocks, + can't accord with your _insulated_ ideas of decorum and other _silly + expressions_ not inserted in _our vocabulary_. + + Oh! Southwell, Southwell, how I rejoice to have left thee, and how I + curse the heavy hours I dragged along, for so many months, among the + Mohawks who inhabit your kraals!--However, one thing I do not regret, + which is having _pared off_ a sufficient quantity of flesh to enable + me to slip into "an eel-skin," and vie with the _slim_ beaux of modern + times; though I am sorry to say, it seems to be the mode amongst + _gentlemen_ to grow _fat_, and I am told I am at least fourteen pound + below the fashion. However, I _decrease_ instead of enlarging, which + is extraordinary, as _violent_ exercise in London is impracticable; + but I attribute the _phenomenon_ to our _evening squeezes_ at public + and private parties. I heard from Ridge this morning (the 14th, my + letter was begun yesterday): he says the poems go on as well as can be + wished; the seventy-five sent to town are circulated, and a demand for + fifty more complied with, the day he dated his epistle, though the + advertisements are not yet half published. Adieu. + + P.S.--Lord Carlisle, on receiving my poems, sent, before he opened the + book, a tolerably handsome letter:[1]--I have not heard from him + since. His opinions I neither know nor care about: if he is the least + insolent, I shall enrol him with _Butler_ and the other worthies. He + is in Yorkshire, poor man! and very ill! He said he had not had time + to read the contents, but thought it necessary to acknowledge the + receipt of the volume immediately. Perhaps the Earl "_bears no brother + near the throne"--if so_, I will make his _sceptre_ totter _in his + hands_.--Adieu! + + + +[Footnote 1: This is probably the third collection of early verse, +'Hours of Idleness', the first collection published with Byron's name +(see page 104 [Letter 53], [Foot]note 1).] + + +[Footnote 2: B. Crosby & Co., of Stationers' Court, were the London +agents of Ridge, the Newark bookseller. Crosby was also the publisher of +a magazine called 'Monthly Literary Recreations', in which (July, 1807) +appeared a highly laudatory notice of 'Hours of Idleness', and Byron's +review of Wordsworth's 'Poems' (2 vols. 1807. See Appendix I.), and his +"Stanzas to Jessy" (see 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 234-236). These lines were +enclosed with the following letter, addressed to "Mr. Crosby, +Stationers' Court:"-- + + "July 21, 1807. + + Sir,--I have sent according to my promise some Stanzas for + 'Literary Recreations'. The insertion I leave to the option of the + Editors. They have never appeared before. I should wish to + know whether they are admitted or not, and when the work will + appear, as I am desirous of a copy. + + Etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Send your answer when convenient."] + + + +[Footnote 3: + + "My Dear Lord,--Your letter of yesterday found me an invalid, and + unable to do justice to your poems by a dilligent ['sic'] perusal of + them. In the meantime I take the first occasion to thank you for + sending them to me, and to express a sincere satisfaction in finding + you employ your leisure in such occupations. Be not disconcerted if + the reception of your works should not be that you may have a right to + look for from the public. Persevere, whatever that reception may be, + and tho' the Public maybe found very fastidious, ... you will stand + better with the world than others who only pursue their studies in + Bond St. or at Tatershall's. + + Believe me to be, yours most sincerely, + + CARLISLE. + + July 8th, 1807."] + + + + + +77.--To John Hanson. + + + July 20th, 1807. + + + Sir,--Your proposal to make Mrs. Byron my _Treasurer_ is very kind, + but does not meet with my approbation. Mrs. Byron has already made + more _free_ with my _funds_ than suits my convenience & I do not chuse + to expose her to the Danger of Temptation. + + Things will therefore stand as they are; the remedy would be worse + than the Disease. + + I wish you would order your Drafts payable to me and not Mrs. B. This + is worse than Hannibal Higgins; [1] who the Devil could suppose that + any Body would have mistaken him for a _real personage?_ & what + earthly consequence could it be whether the Blank in the Draft was + filled up with _Wilkins, Tomkyns, Simkins, Wiggins, Spriggins, + Jiggins_, or _Higgins?_ If I had put in _James Johnson_ you would not + have demurred, & why object to Hannibal Higgins? particularly after + his _respectable Endorsements_. As to Business, I make no pretensions + to a Knowledge of any thing but a Greek Grammer or a Racing Calendar; + but if the _Quintessence_ of information on that head consists in + unnecessary & unpleasant delays, explanations, rebuffs, retorts, + repartees, & recriminations, the House of H.& B. stands pre-eminent in + the profession, as from the Bottom of his Soul testifies + + Yours, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + P.S--Will you dine with me on Sunday Tête a Tête at six o'clock? I + should be happy to see you before, but my Engagements will not permit + me, as on Wednesday I go to the House. I shall have Hargreaves & his + Brother on some day after you; I don't like to annoy Children with the + _formal_ Faces of _legal_ papas. + + + +[Footnote 1: The point of the allusion is that Byron had endorsed one of +Hanson's drafts with the name of "Hannibal Higgins," and had been +solemnly warned of the consequences of so tampering with the dignity of +the law.] + + + + + +78.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + + August 2, 1807. + + + London begins to disgorge its contents--town is empty--consequently I + can scribble at leisure, as occupations are less numerous. In a + fortnight I shall depart to fulfil a country engagement; but expect + two epistles from you previous to that period. Ridge does not proceed + rapidly in Notts--very possible. In town things wear a more promising + aspect, and a man whose works are praised by _reviewers_, admired by + _duchesses_, and sold by every bookseller of the metropolis, does not + dedicate much consideration to _rustic readers_. I have now a review + before me, entitled _Literary Recreations_ [1] where my _hardship_ is + applauded far beyond my deserts. I know nothing of the critic, but + think _him_ a very discerning gentleman, and _myself_ a devilish + _clever_ fellow. His critique pleases me particularly, because it is + of great length, and a proper quantum of censure is administered, just + to give an agreeable _relish_ to the praise. You know I hate insipid, + unqualified, common-place compliment. If you would wish to see it, + order the 13th Number of _Literary Recreations_ for the last month. I + assure you I have not the most distant idea of the writer of the + article--it is printed in a periodical publication--and though I have + written a paper (a review of Wordsworth), which appears in the same + work, I am ignorant of every other person concerned in it--even the + editor, whose name I have not heard. My cousin, Lord Alexander Gordon, + who resided in the same hotel, told me his mother, her Grace of + Gordon, [2] requested he would introduce my _Poetical_ Lordship to her + _Highness_, as she had bought my volume, admired it exceedingly, in + common with the rest of the fashionable world, and wished to claim her + relationship with the author. I was unluckily engaged on an excursion + for some days afterwards; and, as the Duchess was on the eve of + departing for Scotland, I have postponed my introduction till the + winter, when I shall favour the lady, _whose taste I shall not + dispute_, with my most sublime and edifying conversation. She is now + in the Highlands, and Alexander took his departure, a few days ago, + for the same _blessed_ seat of "_dark rolling winds_." + + Crosby, my London publisher, has disposed of his second importation, + and has sent to Ridge for a _third_--at least so he says. In every + bookseller's window I see my _own name_, and _say nothing_, but enjoy + my fame in secret. My last reviewer kindly requests me to alter my + determination of writing no more: and "A Friend to the Cause of + Literature" begs I will _gratify_ the _public_ with some new work "at + no very distant period." Who would not be a bard?--that is to say, if + all critics would be so polite. However, the others will pay me off, I + doubt not, for this _gentle_ encouragement. If so, have at 'em? By the + by, I have written at my intervals of leisure, after two in the + morning, 380 lines in blank verse, of Bosworth Field. I have luckily + got Hutton's account. [3] I shall extend the poem to eight or ten + books, and shall have finished it in a year. Whether it will be + published or not must depend on circumstances. So much for _egotism!_ + My _laurels_ have turned my brain, but the _cooling acids_ of + forthcoming criticism will probably restore me to _modesty_. + + Southwell is a damned place--I have done with it--at least in all + probability; excepting yourself, I esteem no one within its precincts. + You were my only _rational_ companion; and in plain truth, I had more + respect for you than the whole _bevy_, with whose foibles I amused + myself in compliance with their prevailing propensities. You gave + yourself more trouble with me and my manuscripts than a thousand + _dolls_ would have done. + + Believe me, I have not forgotten your good nature in _this circle_ of + _sin_, and one day I trust I shall be able to evince my gratitude. + Adieu. + + Yours, etc. + + P.S.--Remember me to Dr. P. + + + +[Footnote 1: See page 137 [Letter 76], [Foot]note 2.] + + +[Footnote 2: The Duchess of Gordon (1748-1812), 'née' Jean Maxwell of +Monreith, daughter of Sir W. Maxwell, Bart., married in 1767 the Duke of +Gordon. The most successful matchmaker of the age, she married three of +her daughters to three dukes--Manchester, Richmond, and Bedford. A +fourth daughter was Lady Mandalina Sinclair, afterwards, by a second +marriage, Lady Mandalina Palmer. A fifth was married to Lord Cornwallis +(see the extraordinary story told in the 'Recollections of Samuel +Rogers', pp. 145-146). According to Wraxall ('Posthumous Memoirs', vol. +ii. p. 319), she schemed to secure Pitt for her daughter Lady Charlotte, +and Eugène Beauharnais for Lady Georgiana, afterwards Duchess of +Bedford. Cyrus Redding ('Memoirs of William Beckford', vol. ii. pp. +337-339) describes her attack upon the owner of Fonthill, where she +stayed upwards of a week, magnificently entertained, without once seeing +the wary master of the house. + +She was also the social leader of the Tories, and her house in Pall +Mall, rented from the Duke of Buckingham, was the meeting-place of the +party. Malcontents accused her of using her power tyrannically:-- + + "Not Gordon's broad and brawny Grace, + The last new Woman in the Place + With more contempt could blast." + 'Pandolfo Attonito' (1800). + +Lord Alexander Gordon died in 1808.] + + +[Footnote 3: William Hutton (1723-1815), a Birmingham bookseller, who +took to literature and became a voluminous writer of poems, and of +topographical works which still have their value. In his 'Trip to Redcar +and Coatham' (Preface, p. vi.) he says, + + "I took up my pen at the advanced age of fifty-six ... I drove the + quill thirty years, during which time I wrote and published thirty + books." + +'The Battle of Bosworth Field' was published in 1788. A new edition, +with additions by John Nichols, appeared in 1813. Byron's poem was never +published.] + + + + + +79.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + + London, August 11, 1807. + + + On Sunday next I set off for the Highlands. [1] A friend of mine + accompanies me in my carriage to Edinburgh. There we shall leave it, + and proceed in a _tandem_ (a species of open carriage) though the + western passes to Inverary, where we shall purchase _shelties_, to + enable us to view places inaccessible to _vehicular conveyances_. On + the coast we shall hire a vessel, and visit the most remarkable of the + Hebrides; and, if we have time and favourable weather, mean to sail as + far as Iceland, only 300 miles from the northern extremity of + Caledonia, to peep at _Hecla_. This last intention you will keep a + secret, as my nice _mamma_ would imagine I was on a Voyage of + _Discovery_, and raised the accustomed _maternal warwhoop_. + + Last week I swam in the Thames from Lambeth through the two bridges, + Westminster and Blackfriars, a distance, including the different turns + and tracks made on the way, of three miles! [2] You see I am in + excellent training in case of a _squall_ at sea. I mean to collect all + the Erse traditions, poems, etc., etc., and translate, or expand the + subject to fill a volume, which may appear next spring under the + denomination of _"The Highland "Harp"_ or some title equally + _picturesque_. Of Bosworth Field, one book is finished, another just + began. It will be a work of three or four years, and most probably + never _conclude_. What would you say to some stanzas on Mount Hecla? + they would be written at least with _fire_. How is the immortal Bran? + and the Phoenix of canine quadrupeds, Boatswain? I have lately + purchased a thorough-bred bull-dog, worthy to be the coadjutor of the + aforesaid celestials--his name is _Smut!_ + + "Bear it, ye breezes, on your _balmy_ wings." + + Write to me before I set off, I conjure you, by the fifth rib of your + grandfather. Ridge goes on well with the books--I thought that worthy + had not done much in the country. In town they have been very + successful; Carpenter (Moore's publisher) told me a few days ago they + sold all their's immediately, and had several enquiries made since, + which, from the books being gone, they could not supply. The Duke of + York, the Marchioness of Headfort, the Duchess of Gordon, etc., etc., + were among the purchasers; and Crosby says the circulation will be + still more extensive in the winter, the summer season being very bad + for a sale, as most people are absent from London. However, they have + gone off extremely well altogether. I shall pass very near you on my + journey through Newark, but cannot approach. Don't tell this to Mrs. + B, who supposes I travel a different road. If you have a letter, order + it to be left at Ridge's shop, where I shall call, or the post-office, + Newark, about six or eight in the evening. If your brother would ride + over, I should be devilish glad to see him--he can return the same + night, or sup with us and go home the next morning--the Kingston Arms + is my inn. Adieu. + + Yours ever, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: This projected trip to the Highlands, mentioned in his +letter to Augusta Byron of August 30, 1805, seems to have become a joke +among Byron's friends. Moore quotes ('Life', p. 56) a letter written by +Miss Pigot to her brother: + + "How can you ask if Lord B. is going to visit the Highlands in the + summer? Why, don't _you_ know that he never knows his own mind + for ten minutes together? I tell him he is as fickle as the winds, and + as uncertain as the waves."] + + +[Footnote 2: + + "The first time I saw Lord Byron," says Leigh Hunt ('Lord Byron and + his Contemporaries', p. 1), "he was rehearsing the part of Leander, + under the auspices of Mr. Jackson the prize-fighter. It was in the + river Thames, before he went to Greece. I had been bathing, and was + standing on the floating machine adjusting my clothes, when I noticed + a respectable-looking manly person who was eyeing something at a + distance. This was Mr. Jackson waiting for his pupil. The latter was + swimming with somebody for a wager." + +On this occasion, however, Hunt only saw "his Lordship's head bob up and +down in the water, like a "buoy."] + + + + + +80.--To John Hanson. + + + Dorant's Hotel, October 19th, 1807. + + + Dear Hanson,--I will thank you to disburse the quarter due as soon as + possible, for I am at this moment contemplating with woeful visage, + one _solitary Guinea, two bad sixpences_ and a shilling, being _all_ + the _cash_ at present in possession of + + Yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + + + +81.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot. + + Trinity College, Cambridge, October 26, 1807. + + My Dear Elizabeth,--Fatigued with sitting up till four in the morning + for the last two days at hazard, I take up my pen to inquire how your + highness and the rest of my female acquaintance at the seat of + archiepiscopal grandeur go on. I know I deserve a scolding for my + negligence in not writing more frequently; but racing up and down the + country for these last three months, how was it possible to fulfil the + duties of a correspondent? Fixed at last for six weeks, I write, as + _thin_ as ever (not having gained an ounce since my reduction), and + rather in better humour;--but, after all, Southwell was a detestable + residence. Thank St. Dominica, I have done with it: I have been twice + within eight miles of it, but could not prevail on myself to + _suffocate_ in its heavy atmosphere. This place is wretched enough--a + villainous chaos of din and drunkenness, nothing but hazard and + burgundy, hunting, mathematics, and Newmarket, riot and racing. Yet it + is a paradise compared with the eternal dulness of Southwell. Oh! the + misery of doing nothing but make _love, enemies_, and _verses_. + + Next January (but this is _entre nous only_, and pray let it be so, or + my maternal persecutor will be throwing her tomahawk at any of my + curious projects,) I am going to _sea_ for four or five months, with + my cousin Captain Bettesworth, [1] who commands the _Tartar_, the + finest frigate in the navy. I have seen most scenes, and wish to look + at a naval life. We are going probably to the Mediterranean, or to the + West Indies, or--to the devil; and if there is a possibility of taking + me to the latter, Bettesworth will do it; for he has received four and + twenty wounds in different places, and at this moment possesses a + letter from the late Lord Nelson, stating Bettesworth as the only + officer in the navy who had more wounds than himself. + + I have got a new friend, the finest in the world, a _tame bear_. [2] + When I brought him here, they asked me what I meant to do with him, + and my reply was, "he should _sit for a fellowship._" Sherard will + explain the meaning of the sentence, if it is ambiguous. This answer + delighted them not. We have several parties here, and this evening a + large assortment of jockeys, gamblers, boxers, authors, parsons, and + poets, sup with me,--a precious mixture, but they go on well together; + and for me, I am a _spice_ of every thing except a jockey; by the bye, + I was dismounted again the other day. + + Thank your brother in my name for his treatise. I have written 214 + pages of a novel--one poem of 380 lines, [3] to be published (without + my name) in a few weeks, with notes,--560 lines of Bosworth Field, and + 250 lines of another poem in rhyme, besides half a dozen smaller + pieces. The poem to be published is a Satire. _Apropos_, I have been + praised to the skies in the _Critical Review_, [4] and abused greatly + in another publication. [5] So much the better, they tell me, for the + sale of the book: it keeps up controversy, and prevents it being + forgotten. Besides, the first men of all ages have had their share, + nor do the humblest escape;--so I bear it like a philosopher. It is + odd two opposite critiques came out on the same day, and out of five + pages of abuse, my censor only quotes _two lines_ from different + poems, in support of his opinion. Now, the proper way to _cut up_, is + to quote long passages, and make them appear absurd, because simple + allegation is no proof. On the other hand, there are seven pages of + praise, and more than _my modesty_ will allow said on the subject. + Adieu. + + P.S.--Write, write, write!!! + + + +[Footnote 1: George Edmund Byron Bettesworth (1780-1808), as lieutenant +of the 'Centaur', was wounded (1804) in the capture of the 'Curieux'. In +command of the latter vessel he captured the 'Dame Ernouf' (1805), and +was again wounded. He was made a post-captain in the latter year, when +he brought home despatches from Nelson at Antigua, announcing +Villeneuve's return to Europe. He was killed off Bergen in 1808, while +in command of the 'Tartar'. Captain Bettesworth, whose father assumed +the name of Bettesworth in addition to that of Trevanion, married, in +1807, Lady Alethea Grey, daughter of Earl Grey. Through his grandmother, +Sophia Trevanion, Byron was Captain Bettesworth's cousin.] + + +[Footnote 2: See 'Poems', vol. i. p. 406. ] + + +[Footnote 3: This poem, printed in book form, but not published, under +the title of 'British Bards', is the foundation of 'English Bards, and +Scotch Reviewers'. The MS. is in the possession of Mr. Murray.] + + +[Footnote 4: For September, 1807. In noticing the Elegy on Newstead +Abbey, the writer says, "We could not but hail, with something of +prophetic rapture, the hope conveyed in the closing stanza:-- + + "'Haply thy sun, emerging, yet may shine, + Thee to irradiate with meridian ray.'"] + + +[Footnote 5: The first number of 'The Satirist: A Monthly Meteor' +(October, 1807).] + + + + + +82.--To J. Ridge. + + + Trinity College, Cambridge, November 20, 1807. + + + Sir,--I am happy to hear every thing goes on so well, and I presume + you will soon commence, though I am still of opinion the first Edition + had better be entirely sold, before you risk the printing of a second. + As Curly recommends fine wove Foolscap, let it be used, and I will + order a design in London for a plate, my own portrait would perhaps be + best, but as that would take up so long a time in completing we will + substitute probably a view of Harrow, [1] or Newstead in its stead. + + You will omit the poems mentioned below: + + + Stanzas on a view of Harrow. + To a Quaker. + The First Kiss of Love. + College Examinations. + Lines to the Rev. J. T. Becher. + + + To be inserted, not exactly in the place, but in different parts of + the volume, I will send you five poems never yet published. Two of + tolerable length, at least much longer than any of the above, which + are ordered to be omitted. + + Mention in your answer when you would like to receive the manuscripts + that they may be sent. By the bye, I must have the proofs of the + Manuscripts sent to Cambridge as they occur; the proofs from the + printed copy you can manage with care, if Mr. Becher will assist you. + Attend to the list of _Errata_, that we may not have a _Second + Edition_ of them also. + + The Preface we have done with, perhaps I may send an Advertisement, a + dedication shall be forthcoming in due Season. + + You will send a proof of the first Sheet for Inspection, and soon too, + for I am about to set out for London next week. If I remain there any + time, I shall apprize you where to send the Manuscript Proofs. + + Do you think the others will be sold before the next are ready, what + says Curly? remember I have advised you not to risk it a second time, + and it is not too late to retract. However, you must abide by your own + discretion: + + Etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + P.S.--You will print from the Copy I sent you with the alterations, + pray attend to these, and be careful of mistakes. In my last I gave + you directions concerning the Title page and Mottoes. + + + +[Footnote 1: A view of Harrow was given.] + + + + + +83.--To John Hanson. + + + Trin. Coll., Cambridge, Dec. 2nd, 1807. + + + My Dear Sir,--I hope to take my New Years Day dinner with you _en + famille_. Tell Hargreaves I will bring his Blackstones, and shall have + no objection to see my Daniel's _Field Sports_, if they have not + escaped his recollection.--I certainly wish the expiration of my + minority as much as you do, though for a reason more nearly affecting + my magisterial person at this moment, namely, the want of twenty + pounds, for no spendthrift peer, or unlucky poet, was ever less + indebted to _Cash_ than George Gordon is at present, or is more likely + to continue in the same predicament.--My present quarter due on the + 25th was drawn long ago, and I must be obliged to you for the loan of + twenty on my next, to be deducted when the whole becomes tangible, + that is, probably, some months after it is exhausted. Reserve Murray's + quarter, [1] of course, and I shall have just 100 _!_. to receive at + Easter, but if the risk of my demand is too great, inform me, that I + may if possible convert my Title into cash, though I am afraid twenty + pounds will be too much to ask as Times go, if I were an Earl ... but + a Barony must fetch ten, perhaps fifteen, and that is something when + we have not as many pence. Your answer will oblige + + Yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Remember me to Mrs. H. in particular, and the family in general. + + + +[Footnote 1: Joe Murray. (See page 21 [Letter 7], [Foot]note 3 [4].)] + + + + + +84.--To John Murray. [1] + + + Ravenna, 9bre 19, 1820. + + + What you said of the late Charles Skinner Matthews [2] has set me to + my recollections; but I have not been able to turn up any thing which + would do for the purposed Memoir of his brother,--even if he had + previously done enough during his life to sanction the introduction of + anecdotes so merely personal. He was, however, a very extraordinary + man, and would have been a great one. No one ever succeeded in a more + surpassing degree than he did as far as he went. He was indolent, too; + but whenever he stripped, he overthrew all antagonists. His conquests + will be found registered at Cambridge, particularly his _Downing_ one, + which was hotly and highly contested, and yet easily _won_. Hobhouse + was his most intimate friend, and can tell you more of him than any + man. William Bankes [3] also a great deal. I myself recollect more of + his oddities than of his academical qualities, for we lived most + together at a very idle period of _my_ life. When I went up to + Trinity, in 1805, at the age of seventeen and a half, I was miserable + and untoward to a degree. I was wretched at leaving Harrow, to which I + had become attached during the two last years of my stay there; + wretched at going to Cambridge instead of Oxford (there were no rooms + vacant at Christchurch); wretched from some private domestic + circumstances of different kinds, and consequently about as unsocial + as a wolf taken from the troop. So that, although I knew Matthews, and + met him often _then_ at Bankes's, (who was my collegiate pastor, and + master, and patron,) and at Rhode's, Milnes's, Price's, Dick's, + Macnamara's, Farrell's, Gally Knight's, and others of that _set_ of + contemporaries, yet I was neither intimate with him nor with any one + else, except my old schoolfellow Edward Long [4] (with whom I used to + pass the day in riding and swimming), and William Bankes, who was + good-naturedly tolerant of my ferocities. + + It was not till 1807, after I had been upwards of a year away from + Cambridge, to which I had returned again to _reside_ for my degree, + that I became one of Matthews's familiars, by means of Hobhouse, [5] + who, after hating me for two years, because I wore a _white hat_, and + a _grey_ coat, and rode a _grey_ horse (as he says himself), took me + into his good graces because I had written some poetry. I had always + lived a good deal, and got drunk occasionally, in their company--but + now we became really friends in a morning. Matthews, however, was not + at this period resident in College. I met _him_ chiefly in London, and + at uncertain periods at Cambridge. Hobhouse, in the mean time, did + great things: he founded the Cambridge "Whig Club" (which he seems to + have forgotten), and the "Amicable Society," which was dissolved in + consequence of the members constantly quarrelling, and made himself + very popular with "us youth," and no less formidable to all tutors, + professors, and heads of Colleges. William Bankes was gone; while he + stayed, he ruled the roast--or rather the _roasting_--and was father + of all mischiefs. + + Matthews and I, meeting in London, and elsewhere, became great + cronies. He was not good tempered--nor am I--but with a little tact + his temper was manageable, and I thought him so superior a man, that I + was willing to sacrifice something to his humours, which were often, + at the same time, amusing and provoking. What became of his _papers_ + (and he certainly had many), at the time of his death, was never + known. I mention this by the way, fearing to skip it over, and _as_ he + _wrote_ remarkably well, both in Latin and English. We went down to + Newstead together, [6] where I had got a famous cellar, and _Monks'_ + dresses from a masquerade warehouse. We were a company of some seven + or eight, with an occasional neighbour or so for visiters, and used to + sit up late in our friars' dresses, drinking burgundy, claret, + champagne, and what not, out of the _skull-cup_, and all sorts of + glasses, and buffooning all round the house, in our conventual + garments. [7] Matthews always denominated me "the Abbot," and never + called me by any other name in his good humours, to the day of his + death. The harmony of these our symposia was somewhat interrupted, a + few days after our assembling, by Matthews's threatening to throw + Hobhouse out of a _window_, in consequence of I know not what commerce + of jokes ending in this epigram. Hobhouse came to me and said, that + "his respect and regard for me as host would not permit him to call + out any of my guests, and that he should go to town next morning." He + did. It was in vain that I represented to him that the window was not + high, and that the turf under it was particularly soft. Away he went. + + Matthews and myself had travelled down from London together, talking + all the way incessantly upon one single topic. When we got to + Loughborough, I know not what chasm had made us diverge for a moment + to some other subject, at which he was indignant. "Come," said he, + "don't let us break through--let us go on as we began, to our + journey's end;" and so he continued, and was as entertaining as ever + to the very end. He had previously occupied, during my year's absence + from Cambridge, my rooms in Trinity, with the furniture; and Jones, + [8] the tutor, in his odd way, had said, on putting him in, + + "Mr. Matthews, I recommend to your attention not to damage any of + the moveables, for Lord Byron, Sir, is a young man of _tumultuous + passions_." + + Matthews was delighted with this; and whenever anybody came to visit + him, begged them to handle the very door with caution; and used to + repeat Jones's admonition in his tone and manner. There was a large + mirror in the room, on which he remarked, "that he thought his friends + were grown uncommonly assiduous in coming to _see him_, but he soon + discovered that they only came to _see themselves_." Jones's phrase of + "_tumultuous passions_" and the whole scene, had put him into such + good humour, that I verily believe that I owed to it a portion of his + good graces. + + When at Newstead, somebody by accident rubbed against one of his white + silk stockings, one day before dinner; of course the gentleman + apologised. + + "Sir," answered Matthews, "it may be all very well for you, who have + a great many silk stockings, to dirty other people's; but to me, who + have only this _one pair_, which I have put on in honour of the + Abbot here, no apology can compensate for such carelessness; + besides, the expense of washing." + + He had the same sort of droll sardonic way about every thing. A wild + Irishman, named Farrell, one evening began to say something at a large + supper at Cambridge, Matthews roared out "Silence!" and then, pointing + to Farrell, cried out, in the words of the oracle, "Orson is endowed + with reason." You may easily suppose that Orson lost what reason he + had acquired, on hearing this compliment. When Hobhouse published his + volume of poems, the _Miscellany_ (which Matthews would call the + "_Miss-sell-any_"), all that could be drawn from him was, that the + preface was "extremely like _Walsh_." Hobhouse thought this at first a + compliment; but we never could make out what it was, [9] for all we + know of _Walsh_ is his Ode to King William, [10] and Pope's epithet of + "_knowing Walsh_." [11] When the Newstead party broke up for London, + Hobhouse and Matthews, who were the greatest friends possible, agreed, + for a whim, to _walk together_ to town. They quarrelled by the way, + and actually walked the latter half of the journey, occasionally + passing and repassing, without speaking. When Matthews had got to + Highgate, he had spent all his money but three-pence halfpenny, and + determined to spend that also in a pint of beer, which I believe he + was drinking before a public-house, as Hobhouse passed him (still + without speaking) for the last time on their route. They were + reconciled in London again. + + One of Matthews's passions was "the fancy;" and he sparred uncommonly + well. But he always got beaten in rows, or combats with the bare fist. + In swimming, too, he swam well; but with _effort_ and _labour_, and + _too high_ out of the water; so that Scrope Davies [1] and myself, of + whom he was therein somewhat emulous, always told him that he would be + drowned if ever he came to a difficult pass in the water. He was so; + but surely Scrope and myself would have been most heartily glad that + + "the Dean had lived, + And our prediction proved a lie." + + His head was uncommonly handsome, very like what _Pope's_ was in his + youth. + + His voice, and laugh, and features, are strongly resembled by his + brother Henry's, if Henry be _he_ of _King's College_. His passion for + boxing was so great, that he actually wanted me to match him with + Dogherty [13] (whom I had backed and made the match for against Tom + Belcher [14]), and I saw them spar together at my own lodgings with + the gloves on. As he was bent upon it, I would have backed Dogherty to + please him, but the match went off. It was of course to have been a + private fight, in a private room. + + On one occasion, being too late to go home and dress, he was equipped + by a friend (Mr. Baillie, I believe,) in a magnificently fashionable + and somewhat exaggerated shirt and neckcloth. He proceeded to the + Opera, and took his station in Fop's Alley. During the interval + between the opera and the ballet, an acquaintance took his station by + him and saluted him: + + "Come round," said Matthews, "come round." + + "Why should I come round?" said the other; "you have only to turn + your head--I am close by you." + + "That is exactly what I cannot do," said Matthews; "don't you see + the state I am in?" + + pointing to his buckram shirt collar and inflexible cravat,--and there + he stood with his head always in the same perpendicular position + during the whole spectacle. + + One evening, after dining together, as we were going to the Opera, I + happened to have a spare Opera ticket (as subscriber to a box), and + presented it to Matthews. + + "Now, sir," said he to Hobhouse afterwards, "this I call _courteous_ + in the Abbot--another man would never have thought that I might do + better with half a guinea than throw it to a door-keeper;--but here + is a man not only asks me to dinner, but gives me a ticket for the + theatre." + + These were only his oddities, for no man was more liberal, or more + honourable in all his doings and dealings, than Matthews. He gave + Hobhouse and me, before we set out for Constantinople, a most splendid + entertainment, to which we did ample justice. One of his fancies was + dining at all sorts of out-of-the-way places. Somebody popped upon him + in I know not what coffee-house in the Strand--and what do you think + was the attraction? Why, that he paid a shilling (I think) to _dine + with his hat on_. This he called his "_hat_ house," and used to boast + of the comfort of being covered at meal times. + + When Sir Henry Smith [15] was expelled from Cambridge for a row with a + tradesman named "Hiron," Matthews solaced himself with shouting under + Hiron's windows every evening, + + "Ah me! what perils do environ + The man who meddles with _hot Hiron_." + + He was also of that band of profane scoffers who, under the auspices + of----, used to rouse Lort Mansel (late Bishop of Bristol) from his + slumbers in the lodge of Trinity; and when he appeared at the window + foaming with wrath, and crying out, "I know you, gentlemen, I know + you!" were wont to reply, "We beseech thee to hear us, good + Lort!"--"Good Lort deliver us!" (Lort was his Christian name.) As he + was very free in his speculations upon all kinds of subjects, although + by no means either dissolute or intemperate in his conduct, and as I + was no less independent, our conversation and correspondence used to + alarm our friend Hobhouse to a considerable degree. + + You must be almost tired of my packets, which will have cost a mint of + postage. + + Salute Gifford and all my friends. + + Yours, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: This letter, though written twelve years later, belongs to +the Cambridge period of Byron's life. It is therefore introduced here. +(For John Murray, see [Foot]note [1] to letter to R. C. Dallas [Letter +167] of August 21, 1811.)] + + +[Footnote 2: Charles Skinner Matthews was known at Eton as Matthews +'major', his 'minor' being his brother Henry, the author of 'The Diary +of an Invalid', afterwards a Judge in the Supreme Court of Ceylon, who +died in 1828. They were the sons of John Matthews of Belmont, +Herefordshire, M.P. for that county (1802-6). C. S. Matthews became a +Scholar of Trinity, Cambridge; Ninth Wrangler in 1805; First Members' +Prizeman in 1807; Fellow of Downing in 1808. He was drowned in the Cam +in August, 1811. He at the time contemplated standing as Member for the +University of Cambridge. For a description of the accident, see letter +from Henry Drury to Francis Hodgson ('Life of the Rev. Francis Hodgson', +vol. i. pp. 182-185). In the note to 'Childe Harold', Canto I. stanza +xci., Byron speaks of Matthews: + + "I should have ventured a verse to the memory of the late Charles + Skinner Matthews, Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge, were he not + too much above all praise of mine. His powers of mind, shown in the + attainment of greater honours, against the ablest candidates, than + those of any graduate on record at Cambridge, have sufficiently + established his fame on the spot where it was acquired; while his + softer qualities live in the recollection of friends who loved him too + well to envy his superiority."] + + +[Footnote 3: See page 120 [Letter 67], [Foot]note 1.] + + +[Footnote 4: See page 73 [Letter 31], [Foot]note 2.] + + +[Footnote 5: See page 163 [Letter 83], note 1 [5].] + + +[Footnote 6: Of this visit to Newstead, Matthews wrote the following +account to his sister:-- + + "London, May 22, 1809. + + "My Dear----,--I must begin with giving you a few particulars of the + singular place which I have lately quitted. + + Newstead Abbey is situate 136 miles from London,--four on this side + Mansfield. It is so fine a piece of antiquity, that I should think + there must be a description, and, perhaps, a picture of it in Grose. + The ancestors of its present owner came into possession of it at the + time of the dissolution of the monasteries,--but the building itself + is of a much earlier date. Though sadly fallen to decay, it is still + completely an _abbey_, and most part of it is still standing in the + same state as when it was first built. There are two tiers of + cloisters, with a variety of cells and rooms about them, which, though + not inhabited, nor in an inhabitable state, might easily be made so; + and many of the original rooms, amongst which is a fine stone hall, + are still in use. Of the abbey church only one end remains; and the + old kitchen, with a long range of apartments, is reduced to a heap of + rubbish. Leading from the abbey to the modern part of the habitation + is a noble room, seventy feet in length, and twenty-three in breadth; + but every part of the house displays neglect and decay, save those + which the present Lord has lately fitted up. + + The house and gardens are entirely surrounded by a wall with + battlements. In front is a large lake, bordered here and there with + castellated buildings, the chief of which stands on an eminence at the + further extremity of it. Fancy all this surrounded with bleak and + barren hills, with scarce a tree to be seen for miles, except a + solitary clump or two, and you will have some idea of Newstead. For + the late Lord, being at enmity with his son, to whom the estate was + secured by entail, resolved, out of spite to the same, that the estate + should descend to him in as miserable a plight as he could possibly + reduce it to; for which cause, he took no care of the mansion, and + fell to lopping of every tree he could lay his hands on, so furiously, + that he reduced immense tracts of woodland country to the desolate + state I have just described. However, his son died before him, so that + all his rage was thrown away. + + So much for the place, concerning which I have thrown together these + few particulars, meaning my account to be, like the place itself, + without any order or connection. But if the place itself appear rather + strange to you, the ways of the inhabitants will not appear much less + so. Ascend, then, with me the hall steps, that I may introduce you to + my Lord and his visitants. But have a care how you proceed; be mindful + to go there in broad daylight, and with your eyes about you. For, + should you make any blunder,--should you go to the right of the hall + steps, you are laid hold of by a bear; and should you go to the left, + your case is still worse, for you run full against a wolf!--Nor, when + you have attained the door, is your danger over; for the hall being + decayed, and therefore standing in need of repair, a bevy of inmates + are very probably banging at one end of it with their pistols; so that + if you enter without giving loud notice of your approach, you have + only escaped the wolf and the bear to expire by the pistol-shots of + the merry monks of Newstead. + + Our party consisted of Lord Byron and four others, and was, now and + then, increased by the presence of a neighbouring parson. As for our + way of living, the order of the day was generally this:--for + breakfast we had no set hour, but each suited his own convenience, + --everything remaining on the table till the whole party had done; + though had one wished to breakfast at the early hour of ten, one would + have been rather lucky to find any of the servants up. Our average + hour of rising was one. I, who generally got up between eleven and + twelve, was always,--even when an invalid,--the first of the party, + and was esteemed a prodigy of early rising. It was frequently past two + before the breakfast party broke up. Then, for the amusements of the + morning, there was reading, fencing, single-stick, or shuttle-cock, in + the great room; practising with pistols in the hall; + walking--riding--cricket--sailing on the lake, playing with the bear, + or teasing the wolf. Between seven and eight we dined; and our evening + lasted from that time till one, two, or three in the morning. The + evening diversions may be easily conceived. + + I must not omit the custom of handing round, after dinner, on the + removal of the cloth, a human skull filled with burgundy. After + revelling on choice viands, and the finest wines of France, we + adjourned to tea, where we amused ourselves with reading, or improving + conversation,--each, according to his fancy,--and, after sandwiches, + etc., retired to rest. A set of monkish dresses, which had been + provided, with all the proper apparatus of crosses, beads, tonsures, + etc., often gave a variety to our appearance, and to our pursuits. + + You may easily imagine how chagrined I was at being ill nearly the + first half of the time I was there. But I was led into a very + different reflection from that of Dr. Swift, who left Pope's house + without ceremony, and afterwards informed him, by letter, that it was + impossible for two sick friends to live together; for I found my + shivering and invalid frame so perpetually annoyed by the thoughtless + and tumultuous health of every one about me, that I heartily wished + every soul in the house to be as ill as myself. + + "The journey back I performed on foot, together with another of the + guests. We walked about twenty-five miles a day; but were a week on + the road, from being detained by the rain. So here I close my account + of an expedition which has somewhat extended my knowledge of this + country. And where do you think I am going next? To + Constantinople!--at least, such an excursion has been proposed to me. + Lord B. and another friend of mine are going thither next month, and + have asked me to join the party; but it seems to be but a wild scheme, + and requires twice thinking upon. + + "Addio, my dear I., yours very affectionately, C. S. MATTHEWS."] + + +[Footnote 7: A joke, related by Hobhouse, reminds us of the youth of the +party. In the Long Gallery at Newstead was placed a stone coffin, +from which, as he passed down the Gallery at night, he heard a +groan proceeding. On going nearer, a cowled figure rose from the +coffin and blew out the candle. It was Matthews.] + + +[Footnote 8: The Rev. Thomas Jones. (See page 79 [Letter 36], [Foot]note 1.)] + + +[Footnote 9: The only thing remarkable about Walsh's preface is that +Dr. Johnson praises it as "very judicious," but is, at the same time, +silent respecting the poems to which it is prefixed (Moore).] + + +[Footnote 10: No "Ode" under this title is to be found in Walsh's Poems. +Byron had, no doubt, in mind _The Golden Age Restored_--a composition in +which, says Dr. Johnson, "there was something of humour, while the facts +were recent; but it now strikes no longer."] + + +[Footnote 11: + + "----Granville the polite, + And _knowing Walsh_, would tell me I could write." + +"About fifteen," says Pope, "I got acquainted with Mr. Walsh. He used to +encourage me much, and tell me, that there was one way left of +excelling: for though we had several great poets, we never had any one +great poet that was correct; and he desired me to make that my study and +aim" (Spence's _Anecdotes_, edit. 1820, p. 280).] + + +[Footnote 12: See page 165 [Letter 86], [Foot]note 2.] + + +[Footnote 13: Dan Dogherty, Irish champion (1806-11), came into notice as +a pugilist in 1806. He was beaten by Belcher in April, 1808, near +the Rubbing House on Epsom Downs, and again on the Curragh +of Kildare, in 1813, in thirty-five minutes, after twenty-six rounds.] + + +[Footnote 14: Tom Belcher (1783-1854), younger brother of Jem Belcher +the champion, fought and won his first fight in London, in 1804, against +Warr. The fight took place in Tothill Fields, Westminster. Twice beaten +by Dutch Sam (Elias Samuel), in 1806 and 1807, he never held the +championship, which a man of his height (5 ft. 9 ins.) and weight (10 +st. 12 lbs.) could scarcely hope to win. But he repeatedly established +the superiority of art over strength, and was one of the most popular +and respectable pugilists of the day. Under his management the Castle +Tavern at Holborn, in which he succeeded Gregson (page 207 [Letter 108], +[Foot]note 1 [2]), was the head-quarters of pugilism.] + + +[Footnote 15: Sir Henry Smyth, Baronet, of Trinity Hall, A.M. 1805, was +found between eleven and twelve at night, on May 11, 1805, "inciting to a +disturbance" at the shop of a Mrs. Thrower on Market Hill. Other members +of the University seem to have been equally guilty. The sentence of the +Vice-Chancellor and Heads was "that he be suspended from his degree and +banished from the University." The others were admonished only; so it +was clearly considered that Smyth was the ring-leader.] + + + + + +85.--To Henry Drury. [1] + + + Dorant's Hotel, Jan. 13, 1808. + + + My Dear Sir,--Though the stupidity of my servants, or the porter of + the house, in not showing you up stairs (where I should have joined + you directly), prevented me the pleasure of seeing you yesterday, I + hoped to meet you at some public place in the evening. However, my + stars decreed otherwise, as they generally do, when I have any favour + to request of them. I think you would have been surprised at my + figure, for, since our last meeting, I am reduced four stone in + weight. I then weighed fourteen stone seven pound, and now only _ten + stone and a half_. I have disposed of my _superfluities_ by means of + hard exercise and abstinence. + + Should your Harrow engagements allow you to visit town between this + and February, I shall be most happy to see you in Albemarle Street. If + I am not so fortunate, I shall endeavour to join you for an afternoon + at Harrow, though, I fear, your cellar will by no means contribute to + my cure. As for my worthy preceptor, Dr. B., [2] our encounter would + by no means prevent the _mutual endearments_ he and I were wont to + lavish on each other. We have only spoken once since my departure from + Harrow in 1805, and then he politely told Tatersall [3] I was not a + proper associate for his pupils. This was long before my strictures in + verse; but, in plain _prose_, had I been some years older, I should + have held my tongue on his perfections. But, being laid on my back, + when that schoolboy thing was written--or rather dictated--expecting + to rise no more, my physician having taken his sixteenth fee, and I + his prescription, I could not quit this earth without leaving a + memento of my constant attachment to Butler in gratitude for his + manifold good offices. + + I meant to have been down in July; but thinking my appearance, + immediately after the publication, would be construed into an insult, + I directed my steps elsewhere. Besides, I heard that some of the boys + had got hold of my _Libellus_, contrary to my wishes certainly, for I + never transmitted a single copy till October, when I gave one to a + boy, since gone, after repeated importunities. You will, I trust, + pardon this egotism. As you had touched on the subject I thought some + explanation necessary. Defence I shall not attempt, _Hic murus aheneus + esto, nil conscire sibi_--and "so on" (as Lord Baltimore [4] said on + his trial for a rape)--I have been so long at Trinity as to forget the + conclusion of the line; but though I cannot finish my quotation, I + will my letter, and entreat you to believe me, gratefully and + affectionately, etc. + + P.S.--I will not lay a tax on your time by requiring an answer, lest + you say, as Butler said to Tatersall (when I had written his reverence + an impudent epistle on the expression before mentioned), viz. "that I + wanted to draw him into a correspondence." + + + +[Footnote 1: See page 12 [Letter 4], [Foot]note 1 [2]; and page 41 +[Letter 14], [Foot] note 2 [1].] + + +[Footnote 2: Dr. Butler, Head-master of Harrow (see page 58 [Letter 22], +[Foot]note 1).] + + +[Footnote 3: See page 59 [Letter 22], [Foot]note 1 [2].] + + +[Footnote 4: Francis Calvert, seventh Lord Baltimore (1731-1771), was +charged with decoying a young milliner, named Sarah Woodcock, to his +house, and with rape. On February 12, 1768, he was committed for trial +at the Spring assizes, was tried at Kingston, March 26, 1768, and +acquitted. The story is the subject of a romance, 'Injured Innocence; or +the Rape of Sarah Woodcock;' A Tale, by S. J., Esq., of Magdalen +College, Oxford. New York (no date). + + "I thank God," Lord Baltimore is reported to have said, "that I have + had firmness and resolution to meet my accusers face to face, and + provoke an enquiry into my conduct, 'Hic murus aheneus esto, nil + conscire sibi'" + +('Ann. Register' for 1768, p. 234). His body lay in state at Exeter +Change, previous to its interment at Epsom (Leigh Hunt's 'The Town', +edit. 1893, p. 191).] + + + + + +86.--To John Cam Hobhouse. [1] + + + Newstead Abbey, Notts, January 16, 1808. + + + My Dear Hobhouse,--I do not know how the _dens_-descended Davies [2] + came to mention his having received a copy of my epistle to you, but I + addressed him and you on the same evening, and being much incensed at + the account I had received from Wallace, I communicated the contents + to the Birdmore, though without any of that malice wherewith you + charge me. I shall leave my card at Batts, and hope to see you in your + progress to the North. + + I have lately discovered Scrope's genealogy to be ennobled by a + collateral tie with the Beardmore, Chirurgeon and Dentist to Royalty, + and that the town of Southwell contains cousins of Scrope's, who + disowned them (I grieve to speak it) on visiting that city in my + society. + + How I found this out I will disclose, the first time "we three meet + again." But why did he conceal his lineage? "Ah, my dear H., it was + _cruel_, it was _insulting_, it was _unnecessary_." + + I have (notwithstanding your kind invitation to Wallace) been alone + since the 8th of December; nothing of moment has occurred since our + anniversary row. I shall be in London on the 19th; there are to be + oxen roasted and sheep boiled on the 22nd, with ale and uproar for the + mobility; a feast is also providing for the tenantry. For my own part, + I shall know as little of the matter as a corpse of the funeral + solemnized in its honour. + + A letter addressed to Reddish's will find me. I still intend + publishing the _Bards_, but I have altered a good deal of the "Body of + the Book," added and interpolated, with some excisions; your lines + still stand, [3] and in all there will appear 624 lines. + + I should like much to see your Essay upon Entrails: is there any + honorary token of silver gilt? any cups, or pounds sterling attached + to the prize, besides glory? I expect to see you with a medal + suspended from your button-hole, like a Croix de St. Louis. + + Fletcher's father is deceased, and has left his son tway cottages, + value ten pounds per annum. I know not how it is, but Fletch., though + only the third brother, conceives himself entitled to all the estates + of the defunct, and I have recommended him to a lawyer, who, I fear, + will triumph in the spoils of this ancient family. A Birthday Ode has + been addressed to me by a country schoolmaster, in which I am likened + to the Sun, or Sol, as he classically saith; the people of Newstead + are compared to Laplanders. I am said to be a Baron, and a Byron, the + truth of which is indisputable. Feronia is again to reign (she must + have some woods to govern first), but it is altogether a very pleasant + performance, and the author is as superior to Pye, as George Gordon to + George Guelph. To be sure some of the lines are too short, but then, + to make amends, the Alexandrines have from fifteen to seventeen + syllables, so we may call them Alexandrines the great. + + I shall be glad to hear from you, and beg you to believe me, + + Yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: John Cam Hobhouse (1786-1869), created in 1851 Baron +Broughton de Gyfford, was the eldest son of Mr. Benjamin Hobhouse, +created a baronet in 1812, and M.P. (from 1797 to 1818) successively for +Bletchingley, Grampound, and Hindon. From a school at Bristol, John Cam +Hobhouse was sent to Westminster, and thence to Trinity, Cambridge, +where he won (1808) the Hulsean Prize for an essay on "Sacrifices," and +made acquaintance with Byron, as related in Letter 84. In 1809 he +published a poetical miscellany, consisting of sixty-five pieces, under +the title of 'Imitations and Translations from the Ancient and Modern +Classics, together with original Poems never before published' (London, +1809, 8vo). (For Byron's nine contributions, see 'Poems', vol. i., +Bibliographical Note.) In 1809-10 he was Byron's travelling companion +abroad (see 'A Journey through Albania, etc.' London, 1813, 4to). + +In 1813 he travelled with Douglas Kinnaird in Sweden, Germany, Austria, +and Italy; in 1814 he was at Paris with the allied armies; and in April, +1815, was there again till the second Napoleonic war broke out, +returning to witness the second restoration of the Bourbons (see his +'Letters--written by an Englishman resident in Paris, etc.' Anon., +London, 1816, 2 vols., 8vo). During 1814 he was much with Byron in +London. He notes going with him to Drury Lane, and being introduced with +him to Kean (May 19); dining with him at Lord Tavistock's (June 4); +dining with him at Douglas Kinnaird's, to meet Kean (December 14). He +was Byron's best man at his marriage at Seaham (January 2, 1815), and it +was to him that the bride said, "If I am not happy, it will be my own +fault." He was the last person who shook hands with Byron on Dover pier, +when the latter left England in 1816. Later in the same year he was with +him at the Villa Diodati, on the Lake of Geneva, and travelled with him +to Venice. To him Byron dedicated 'The Siege of Corinth', In the next +year he was again with Byron in the Villa La Mira on the banks of the +Brenta, and at Venice, where he prepared the commentary on the fourth +canto of 'Childe Harold', which Byron dedicated to him. Part of the +notes were published separately ('Historical Illustrations, etc.' +London, 1818, 8vo). In 1818 Hobhouse stood for Westminster, but was +defeated by George Lamb, the representative of the official Whigs. He +was an original member of "The Rota Club," afterwards known as +"Harrington's," to which Michael Bruce, Douglas Kinnaird, Scrope Davies, +and others belonged, and which Byron, writing from Italy, expressed a +wish to join. He had now embarked on political life. His pamphlet, 'A +Defence of the People' (1819), was followed in the same year by 'A +Trifling Mistake', which was declared by the House of Commons to be a +breach of privilege. In consequence, he was committed to Newgate. The +death of George III., and the dissolution of Parliament, set him free. +He contested Westminster, won the seat with Sir Francis Burdett as his +colleague, and represented it for thirteen years. He took the part of +Queen Caroline against the Government. At the Queen's funeral (August 7, +1821) he attended the procession which escorted her body (August 13) +from Brandenburg House to Harwich, and saw the coffin placed upon the +vessel. + +His political career was long, independent, useful, and distinguished, +and he specially associated himself with such questions as the +shortening of the hours for infant labour, the opening up of +metropolitan vestries, and the subject of parliamentary reform. In 1832 +he was made a Privy Councillor, and became Secretary at War in Lord +Grey's Ministry. This post, finding himself unable to effect essential +reforms at the War Office, he exchanged for that of Secretary for +Ireland (1833); but he resigned both his office and his seat a few weeks +later, being opposed to the Government on a question of taxation. In +1834 he joined Lord Melbourne's Government as First Commissioner of +Woods and Forests, with a seat in the Cabinet. In Lord Melbourne's +second administration, and again in Lord J. Russell's Government of +1846, he was President of the Board of Control. On his retirement from +public life, in 1852, he received high recognition of his official +services from the Queen, who conferred on him the Grand Cross of the +Bath and a peerage. Hobhouse was present at Her Majesty's first Council, +and is said to have originated the phrase, "Her Majesty's Opposition." + +In 1822 he travelled in Italy (see 'Italy: Remarks made in Several +Visits from the Year 1816 to 1834', London, 1859, 2 vols., 8vo). There, +on September 20, at Pisa, he for the last time saw Byron, whose parting +words were, "Hobhouse, you should never have come, or you should never +go." In July, 1824, when Byron's body was brought home, he boarded the +'Florida' in Sandgate Creek, and took charge of the funeral ceremonies +from Westminster Stairs to the interment at Hucknall Torkard. He +prepared an article for the 'Quarterly Review', exposing the absurdities +of Medwin's 'Conversations' and of Dallas's 'Recollections'; but, owing +to difficulties with Southey, it was not published. It was the substance +of this article which afterwards appeared in the 'Westminster Review' in +1825. In 1830 he wrote, but, by Lord Holland's advice, withheld, a +refutation of the charges made against the dead poet as to his +separation from Lady Byron. He has, however, left on record that it was +not fear which induced Byron to agree to the separation, but that, on +the contrary, he was ready to "go into court." + +The staunchest of Byron's friends, Hobhouse was also the most sensible +and candid. As such Byron valued him. Talking to Lady Blessington at +Genoa, in 1823, he said ('Conversations', p. 93) that Hobhouse was + + "the most impartial, or perhaps," added he, "'unpartial', of my + friends; he always told me my faults, but I must do him the justice to + add, that he told them to 'me', and not to others." + +On another occasion he said (p. 172), + + "If friendship, as most people imagine, consists in telling one + truth--unvarnished, unadorned truth--he is indeed a friend: yet, hang + it, I must be candid, and say I have had many other, and more + agreeable, proofs of Hobhouse's friendship than the truths he always + told me; but the fact is, I wanted him to sugar them over a little + with flattery, as nurses do the physic given to children; and he never + would, and therefore I have never felt quite content with him, though, + 'au fond', I respect him the more for his candour, while I respect + myself very much less for my weakness in disliking it."] + + +[Footnote 2: Scrope Berdmore Davies (1783-1852), born at Horsley, in +Gloucestershire, was educated at Eton, and King's College, Cambridge, +where he was admitted a Scholar in July, 1802, and a Fellow in July, +1805. In 1803 he was awarded by the Provost of Eton the Belham +Scholarship, given to those Scholars of King's who had behaved well at +Eton, and held it till 1816. A witty companion, with "a dry caustic +manner, and an irresistible stammer" ('Life of Rev, F. Hodgson', vol. i. +p. 204), Davies was, during the Regency and afterwards, a popular member +of fashionable society. A daring gambler and shrewd calculator, he at +one time won heavily at the gaming-tables. On June 10, 1814, as he told +Hobhouse, he won £6065 at Watier's Club at Macao. Captain Cronow, in his +'Reminiscences' (ed. 1860, vol. i. pp. 93-96), sketches him among +"Golden Ball" Hughes, "King" Allen, and other dandies. But luck turned +against him, and he retired, poverty-stricken and almost dependent upon +his Fellowship, to Paris, where he died, May 23, 1852. It was supposed +he had for many years occupied himself with writing his recollections of +his friends. But the notes, if they were ever written, have disappeared. + +Byron, who hated obligations, as he himself says, counted Davies as a +friend, though not on the same plane as Hobhouse. He borrowed from +Davies £4800 before he left England in 1809, repaid him in 1814, and +dedicated to him his 'Parisina'. In his 'MS. Journal' ('Life', pp. 129, +130) he says, + + "One of the cleverest men I ever knew, in conversation, was Scrope + Berdmore Davies. Hobhouse is also very good in that line, though it is + of less consequence to a man who has other ways of showing his talents + than in company. Scrope was always ready, and often witty--Hobhouse + was witty, but not always so ready, being more diffident." + +Byron appointed him one of the executors of his will of 1811. In his +'Journal' for March 28, 1814 ('Life', p. 234), occurs this entry: + + "Yesterday, dined tête à tête at the Cocoa with Scrope Davies--sat + from six till midnight--drank between us one bottle of champagne and + six of claret, neither of which wines ever affect me. Offered to take + Scrope home in my carriage; but he was tipsy and pious, and I was + obliged to leave him on his knees praying to I know not what purpose + or pagod. No headach, nor sickness, that night, nor to-day. Got up, if + anything, earlier than usual--sparred with Jackson 'ad sudorem', and + have been much better in health than for many days. I have heard + nothing more from Scrope." + +Scrope Davies visited Byron at the Villa Diodati, in 1816, and brought +back with him 'Childe Harold', canto iii. On his return he gave evidence +in the case of 'Byron v. Johnson', before the Lord Chancellor, November +28, 1816, when an injunction was obtained to restrain Johnson from +publishing a volume containing 'Lord Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage +to the Holy Land', and other works, which he professed to have bought +from Byron for £500. + +According to Gronow ('Reminiscences', vol. i. p. 153, 154), Scrope +Davies, asked to give his private opinion of Byron, said that he +considered him + + "very agreeable and clever, but vain, overbearing, suspicious, and + jealous. Byron hated Palmerston, but liked Peel, and thought that the + whole world ought to be constantly employed in admiring his poetry and + himself."] + + +[Footnote 3: For Hobhouse's lines on Bowles, see 'English Bards, etc.', +line 384, and note.] + + + + + +87.--To Robert Charles Dallas. [1] + + + Dorant's Hotel, Albemarle Street, Jan. 20, 1808. + + + Sir,--Your letter was not received till this morning, I presume from + being addressed to me in Notts., where I have not resided since last + June; and as the date is the 6th, you will excuse the delay of my + answer. + + If the little volume you mention has given pleasure to the author of + _Percival_ and _Aubrey_, I am sufficiently repaid by his praise. + Though our periodical censors have been uncommonly lenient, I confess + a tribute from a man of acknowledged genius is still more flattering. + But I am afraid I should forfeit all claim to candour, if I did not + decline such praise as I do not deserve; and this is, I am sorry to + say, the case in the present instance. + + My compositions speak for themselves, and must stand or fall by their + own worth or demerit: _thus far_ I feel highly gratified by your + favourable opinion. But my pretensions to virtue are unluckily so few, + that though I should be happy to merit, I cannot accept, your applause + in that respect. One passage in your letter struck me forcibly: you + mention the two Lords Lyttleton [2] in the manner they respectively + deserve, and will be surprised to hear the person who is now + addressing you has been frequently compared to the _latter_. I know I + am injuring myself in your esteem by this avowal, but the circumstance + was so remarkable from your observation, that I cannot help relating + the fact. The events of my short life have been of so singular a + nature, that, though the pride commonly called honour has, and I trust + ever will, prevent me from disgracing my name by a mean or cowardly + action, I have been already held up as the votary of licentiousness, + and the disciple of infidelity. How far justice may have dictated this + accusation, I cannot pretend to say; but, like the _gentleman_ to whom + my religious friends, in the warmth of their charity, have already + devoted me, I am made worse than I really am. However, to quit myself + (the worst theme I could pitch upon), and return to my poems, I cannot + sufficiently express my thanks, and I hope I shall some day have an + opportunity of rendering them in person. A second edition is now in + the press, with some additions and considerable omissions; you will + allow me to present you with a copy. The 'Critical', [3] 'Monthly', + [4] and 'Anti-Jacobin [5] Reviews' have been very indulgent; but the + 'Eclectic' [6] has pronounced a furious Philippic, not against the + _book_ but the _author_, where you will find all I have mentioned + asserted by a reverend divine who wrote the critique. + + Your name and connection with our family have been long known to me, + and I hope your person will be not less so: you will find me an + excellent compound of a "Brainless" and a "Stanhope." [7] I am afraid + you will hardly be able to read this, for my hand is almost as bad as + my character; but you will find me, as legibly as possible, + + Your obliged and obedient servant, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Robert Charles Dallas (1754-1842), born in Jamaica and +educated in Scotland, read law at the Inner Temple. About 1775 he +returned to Jamaica to look after his property and take up a lucrative +appointment. Three years later he returned to England, married, and took +his wife back with him to the West Indies. His wife's health compelled +him to return to Europe, and he lived for some time in France. At the +outbreak of the Revolution he emigrated to America; but finally settled +down to literary work in England. His first publication (1797) was +_Miscellaneous Writings consisting of Poems; Lucretia, a Tragedy; and +Moral Essays, with a Vocabulary of the Passions_. He translated a number +of French books bearing on the French Revolution, by Bertrand de +Moleville, Mallet du Pan, Hue, and Joseph Weber; also a work on +Volcanoes by the Abbé Ordinaire, and an historical novel by Madame de +Genlis, _The Siege of Rochelle_. He wrote a number of novels, among them +_Percival, or Nature Vindicated_ (1801); _Aubrey: a Novel_ (1804); _The +Morlands; Tales illustrative of the Simple and Surprising_ (1805); _The +Knights; Tales illustrative of the Marvellous_ (1808). Later (1819 and +1823) he published two volumes of poems. He says (preface to _Percival_, +p. ix.) that his object is "to improve the heart, as well as to please +the fancy, and to be the auxiliary of the Divine and the Moralist." He +is one of the writers, others being "Gleaner" Pratt and Lord Carlisle, +"whose writings" (_Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Percival +Stockdale_, 1809, vol. i. Preface, p. xvi.) "dart through the general +fog of our literary dulness." Stockdale further says of him that he was +"a man of a most affectionate and virtuous mind. He has had the moral +honour, in several novels, to exert his talents, which were worthy of +their glorious cause, in the service of good conduct and religion." + +Dallas's sister, Henrietta Charlotte, married George Anson Byron, the +son of Admiral the Hon. John Byron, and was therefore Byron's aunt by +marriage. On the score of this connection, Dallas introduced himself to +Byron by complimenting him, in a letter dated January 6, 1808, on his +_Hours of Idleness_. A well-meaning, self-satisfied, dull, industrious +man, he gave Byron excellent moral advice, to which the latter responded +as the _fanfaron de ses vices_, evidently with great amusement to +himself. _English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers_ was brought out under +Dallas's auspices, as well as _Childe Harold_ and _The Corsair_, the +profits of which Byron made over to him. Dallas distrusted his own +literary judgment in the matter of Byron's verse, and consulted Walter +Wright, the author of Horæ Ioniæ, about the prospects of 'Childe +Harold'. + + "I have told him," said Wright, "that I have no doubt this will + succeed. Lord Byron had offered him before some translations from + Horace, which I told him would never sell, and he did not take them" + +('Diary of H. Crabb Robinson', vol. i. pp. 29, 30). + +The connection between Dallas and Byron practically ended in 1814. The +publication of Dallas's 'Recollections of the Life of Lord Byron from +the Year 1808 to the end of 1814' was stopped by a decree obtained by +Byron's executors, in the Court of Chancery, August 23, 1824. But the +book was published by the writer's son, the Rev. A. R. C. Dallas.] + + +[Footnote 2: Byron refers to the following passage in Dallas's letter of +January 6, 1808: + + "A spirit that brings to my mind another noble author, who was not + only a fine poet, orator, and historian, but one of the closest + reasoners we have on the truth of that religion, of which forgiveness + is a prominent principle: the great and the good Lord Lyttelton, whose + fame will never die. His son, to whom he had transmitted genius but + not virtue, sparkled for a moment, and went out like a falling star, + and with him the title became extinct. He was the victim of inordinate + passions, and he will be heard of in this world only by those who read + the English Peerage" + +('Correspondence of Lord Byron', p. 20, the suppressed edition). + +Dallas was, of course, aware that Byron's predecessor in the title, +William, fifth Lord Byron, was known as the "wicked Lord Byron." George, +first Lord Lyttelton (1709-1773), to whom Pope refers ('Imitations of +Horace', bk. i. Ep. i. 1. 30) as + + "Still true to virtue, and as warm as true," + +was a voluminous writer in prose and verse, but owed his political +importance to his family connection with Chatham, Temple, and George +Grenville. Horace Walpole calls him a "wise moppet" ('Letters', vol. ii. +p. 28, ed. Cunningham), and repeatedly sneers at his dulness. His son +Thomas, second Lord Lyttelton (1744-1779), the "wicked Lord Lyttelton," +appears in W. Combe's 'Diaboliad' as the + + "Peer of words, + Well known,--and honour'd in the House of Lords,-- + Whose Eloquence all Parallel defies!" + +who claims the throne of Hell as the worst of living men. His 'Poems by +a Young Nobleman lately deceased' (published in 1780, after his death) +may have helped Dallas in his allusion. He was the hero and the victim +of the famous ghost story which Dr. Johnson was "willing to believe."] + + +[Footnote 3: 'The Critical Review' (3rd series, vol. xii. pp. 47-53) +specially praises lines "On Leaving Newstead Abbey" and "Childish +Recollections."] + + +[Footnote 4: In 'Monthly Literary Recreations' (July, 1807, pp. 67-71), +"Childish Recollections" and "The Tear" are particularly commended. + + "As friends to the cause of literature, we have thought proper not to + disguise our opinion of his powers, that we might alter his + determination, and lead him once more to the Castalian fount."] + + +[Footnote 5: 'The Anti-Jacobin Review' (December, 1807, pp. 407, 408) +says that the poems + + "exhibit strong proofs of genius, accompanied by a lively but + chastened imagination, a classical taste, and a benevolent heart."] + + +[Footnote 6: _The Eclectic Review_ (vol. iii. part ii. pp. 989-993) +begins its review thus: + + "The notice we take of this publication regards the author rather than + the book; the book is a collection of juvenile pieces, some of very + moderate merit, and others of very questionable morality; but the + author is a _nobleman_!"] + + +[Footnote 7: Characters in the novel called _Percival_.] + + + + + +88.--To Robert Charles Dallas. + + + Dorant's, January 21, 1808. + + + Sir,--Whenever leisure and inclination permit me the pleasure of a + visit, I shall feel truly gratified in a personal acquaintance with + one whose mind has been long known to me in his writings. + + You are so far correct in your conjecture, that I am a member of the + University of Cambridge, where I shall take my degree of A.M. this + term; but were reasoning, eloquence, or virtue, the objects of my + search, Granta is not their metropolis, nor is the place of her + situation an "El Dorado," far less an Utopia. The intellects of her + children are as stagnant as her Cam, and their pursuits limited to the + church--not of Christ, but of the nearest benefice. + + As to my reading, I believe I may aver, without hyperbole, it has been + tolerably extensive in the historical department; so that few nations + exist, or have existed, with whose records I am not in some degree + acquainted, from Herodotus down to Gibbon. Of the classics, I know + about as much as most school-boys after a discipline of thirteen + years; of the law of the land as much as enables me to keep "within + the statute"--to use the poacher's vocabulary. I did study the "Spirit + of Laws" [1] and the Law of Nations; but when I saw the latter + violated every month, I gave up my attempts at so useless an + accomplishment:--of geography, I have seen more land on maps than I + should wish to traverse on foot;--of mathematics, enough to give me + the headach without clearing the part affected;--of philosophy, + astronomy, and metaphysics, more than I can comprehend; and of common + sense so little, that I mean to leave a Byronian prize at each of our + "Almæ Matres" for the first discovery,--though I rather fear that of + the longitude will precede it. + + I once thought myself a philosopher, and talked nonsense with great + decorum: I defied pain, and preached up equanimity. For some time this + did very well, for no one was in _pain_ for me but my friends, and + none lost their patience but my hearers. At last, a fall from my horse + convinced me bodily suffering was an evil; and the worst of an + argument overset my maxims and my temper at the same moment: so I + quitted Zeno for Aristippus, and conceive that pleasure constitutes + the [Greek (transliterated): to kalon]. + + In morality, I prefer Confucius to the Ten Commandments, and Socrates + to St. Paul (though the two latter agree in their opinion of + marriage). In religion, I favour the Catholic emancipation, but do not + acknowledge the Pope; and I have refused to take the sacrament, + because I do not think eating bread or drinking wine from the hand of + an earthly vicar will make me an inheritor of heaven. I hold virtue, + in general, or the virtues severally, to be only in the disposition, + each a _feeling_, not a principle. I believe truth the prime attribute + of the Deity, and death an eternal sleep, at least of the body. You + have here a brief compendium of the sentiments of the _wicked_ George, + Lord Byron; and, till I get a new suit, you will perceive I am badly + cloathed. + + I remain yours, etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: In Byron's "List of historical writers whose works I have +perused in different languages" ('Life', pp. 46, 47), occurs the name of +Montesquieu. It is to his 'Esprit des Lois' that Byron refers.] + + + + + +89.--To John Hanson. + + + Dorant's, January 25th, 1808. + + + Sir,--The picture I have drawn of my finances is unfortunately a true + one, and I find the colours may be heightened but not improved by + time.--I have inclosed the receipt, and return my thanks for the loan, + which shall be repaid the first opportunity. In the concluding part of + my last I gave my reasons for not troubling you with my society at + present, but when I can either communicate or receive pleasure, I + shall not be long absent. + + Yrs., etc., + + BYRON. + + P.S.--I have received a letter from Whitehead, of course you know the + contents, and must act as you think proper. + + + + + +90.--To John Hanson. + + + Dorant's, January 25th, 1808. + + + Dear Sir,--Some time ago I gave Mitchell the sadler [_sic_] a letter + for you, requesting his bill might be paid from the Balance of the + Quarter you obliged me by advancing. If he has received this you will + further oblige me by paying what remains, I believe somewhere about + five pounds, if so much. + + You will confer a favour upon me by the loan of twenty. I will + endeavour to repay it next week, as I have immediate occasion for that + sum, and I should not require it of you could I obtain it elsewhere. + + I am now in my one and twentieth year, and cannot command as many + pounds. To Cambridge I cannot go without paying my bills, and at + present I could as soon compass the National Debt; in London I must + not remain, nor shall I, when I can procure a trifle to take me out of + it. Home I have none; and if there was a possibility of getting out of + the Country, I would gladly avail myself of it. But even that is + denied me, my Debts amount to three thousand, three hundred to Jews, + eight hundred to Mrs. B. of Nottingham, to coachmaker and other + tradesmen a thousand more, and these must be much increased, before + they are lessened. + + Such is the prospect before me, which is by no means brightened by + ill-health. I would have called on you, but I have neither spirits to + enliven myself or others, or inclination to bring a gloomy face to + spoil a group of happy ones. I remain, + + Your obliged and obedt. sert., + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Your answer to the former part will oblige, as I shall be + reduced to a most unpleasant dilemma if it does not arrive. + + + + + +91.--To James De Bathe. [1] + + + Dorant's Hotel, February 2d, 1808. + + + My Dear De Bathe,--Last Night I saw your Father and Brother, the + former I have not the pleasure of knowing, but the latter informed me + _you_ came to Town on _Saturday_ and returned _yesterday_. + + I have received a pressing Invitation from Henry Drury to pay him a + visit; in his Letter he mentions a very old _Friend_ of yours, who + told him he would join my party, if I could inform him on what day I + meant to go over. This Friend you will readily conclude to be a Lord + _B_.; but not the one who now addresses you. Shall I bring him to you? + and insure a welcome for myself which perhaps might not otherwise be + the case. This will not be for a Fortnight to come. I am waiting for + Long, who is now at Chatham, when he arrives we shall probably drive + down and dine with Drury. + + I confess Harrow has lost most of its charms for me. I do not know if + Delawarr is still there; but, with the exception of yourself and the + Earl, I shall find myself among Strangers. Long has a Brother at + Butler's, and all his predilections remain in full force; mine are + weakened, if not destroyed, and though I can safely say, I never knew + a Friend out of Harrow, I question whether I have one left in it. You + leave Harrow in July; may I ask what is your future Destination? + + In January _1809_ I shall be twenty one & in the Spring of the same + year proceed abroad, not on the usual Tour, but a route of a more + extensive Description. What say you? are you disposed for a view of + the Peloponnesus and a voyage through the Archipelago? I am merely in + jest with regard to you, but very serious with regard to my own + Intention which is fixed on the _Pilgrimage_, unless some political + view or accident induce me to postpone it. Adieu! if you have Leisure, + I shall be as happy to hear from you, as I would have been to have + _seen_ you. Believe me, + + Yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Sir James Wynne De Bathe (1792-1828) succeeded his father +as second baronet, February 22, 1808. "Clare, Dorset, Charles Gordon, De +Bathe, Claridge, and John Wingfield, were my juniors and favourites, +whom I spoilt by indulgence" ('Life', p. 21). De Bathe's name does not +appear in the Harrow School lists. A Captain De Bathe interested himself +in the case of Medora Leigh in 1843 (see Charles Mackay's 'Medora +Leigh', pp. 92, 93, and elsewhere in the volume).] + + + + + +92.--To William Harness. [1] + + + Dorant's Hotel, Albemarle Street, Feb. II, 1808. + + + My Dear Harness,--As I had no opportunity of returning my verbal + thanks, I trust you will accept my written acknowledgments for the + compliment you were pleased to pay some production of my unlucky muse + last November,--I am induced to do this not less from the pleasure I + feel in the praise of an old schoolfellow, than from justice to you, + for I had heard the story with some slight variations. Indeed, when we + met this morning, Wingfield [2] had not undeceived me; but he will + tell you that I displayed no resentment in mentioning what I had + heard, though I was not sorry to discover the truth. Perhaps you + hardly recollect, some years ago, a short, though, for the time, a + warm friendship between us. Why it was not of longer duration I know + not. I have still a gift of yours in my possession, that must always + prevent me from forgetting it. I also remember being favoured with the + perusal of many of your compositions, and several other circumstances + very pleasant in their day, which I will not force upon your memory, + but entreat you to believe me, with much regret at their short + continuance, and a hope they are not irrevocable, + + Yours very sincerely, etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: William Harness (1790-1869), son of Dr. J. Harness, +Commissioner of the Transport Board, was educated at Harrow and Christ's +College, Cambridge. Ordained in 1812, he was, from 1823 to 1826, Curate +at Hampstead. + + "I could quiz you heartily," writes Mrs. Franklin to Miss Mitford + (September 6, 1824), "for having told me in three successive letters + of Mr. Harness's chapel at Hampstead. I understand he now lives a very + retired life" + +('The Friendships of Mary Russell Mitford', vol. i. p. 61). From 1826 to +1844 he was Incumbent of Regent Square Chapel; Minister of Brompton +Chapel (1844-47); Perpetual Curate (1849-69) of All Saints', +Knightsbridge, which he built from subscriptions raised by himself. He +is described by Crabb Robinson ('Diary', vol. iii. p. 212) as + + "a clergyman with Oxford propensities, and a worshipper of the heathen + Muses as well as of the Christian Graces;" + +and again (iii. 326), as + + "a man of taste, of High Church principles and liberal in spirit." + +Miss Mitford ('The Friendships of Mary Russell Mitford', vol. ii. p. +289) writes that + + "he has neither Catholic nor Puseyite tendencies,--only it is a large + and liberal mind like Bishop Stanley's, believing good men and good + Christians may exist among Papists, and will be as safe there as if + they were Protestants." + +Again (vol. ii. p. 295) she says of him: + + "Besides his varied accomplishments, and his admirable goodness and + kindness, he has all sorts of amusing peculiarities. With a temper + never known to fail, an indulgence the largest, a tenderness as of a + woman, he has the habit of talking like a cynic! and with more + learning, ancient and modern, and a wider grasp of literature than + almost any one I know, professes to read nothing and care for nothing + but 'Shakespeare and the Bible.' He is the finest reader of both that + I ever heard. His preaching, which has been so much admired, is too + rapid, but his reading the prayers is perfection. The best parish + priest in London, and the truest Christian." + +Miss Mitford's praise may be exaggerated; but she had known Harness for +a lifetime. + +Harness edited 'Shakespeare' (1825, 8 vols.), as well as 'Massinger' +(1830) and 'Ford' (1831); wrote for the 'Quarterly' and 'Blackwood'; and +published a number of sermons, including 'The Wrath of Cain', 'A Boyle +Lecture' (1822). He wrote 'The Life of Mary Russell Mitford' (1870), in +collaboration with the Rev. A. G. L'Estrange, whose 'Life of the Rev. W. +Harness' is the chief authority for his career. + +His friendship with Byron began at Harrow ('Life', pp. 23, 24), where +Byron, who was older than Harness, took pity upon his lameness and +weakness, and protected him from the bullies of the school. At a later +period they became estranged, as is shown by the following letter from +Byron to Harness ('Life', pp. 24, 25):-- + + "We both seem perfectly to recollect, with a mixture of pleasure and + regret, the hours we once passed together, and I assure you, most + sincerely, they are numbered among the happiest of my brief chronicle + of enjoyment. I am now 'getting into years', that is to say, I was + 'twenty' a month ago, and another year will send me into the world to + run my career of folly with the rest. I was then just fourteen,--you + were almost the first of my Harrow friends, certainly the 'first' in + my esteem, if not in date; but an absence from Harrow for some time, + shortly after, and new connections on your side, and the difference in + our conduct (an advantage decidedly in your favour) from that + turbulent and riotous disposition of mine, which impelled me into + every species of mischief,--all these circumstances combined to + destroy an intimacy, which affection urged me to continue, and memory + compels me to regret. But there is not a circumstance attending that + period, hardly a sentence we exchanged, which is not impressed on my + mind at this moment. I need not say more,--this assurance alone must + convince you, had I considered them as trivial, they would have been + less indelible. How well I recollect the perusal of your 'first + flights'! There is another circumstance you do not know;--the 'first + lines' I ever attempted at Harrow were addressed to 'you'. You were to + have seen them; but Sinclair had the copy in his possession when we + went home;--and, on our return, we were 'strangers'. They were + destroyed, and certainly no great loss; but you will perceive from + this circumstance my opinions at an age when we cannot be hypocrites. + + I have dwelt longer on this theme than I intended, and I shall now + conclude with what I ought to have begun. We were once friends,--nay, + we have always been so, for our separation was the effect of chance, + not of dissension. I do not know how far our destinations in life may + throw us together, but if opportunity and inclination allow you to + waste a thought on such a hare-brained being as myself, you will find + me at least sincere, and not so bigoted to my faults as to involve + others in the consequences. Will you sometimes write to me? I do not + ask it often; and, if we meet, let us be what we 'should' be, and what + we 'were'." + +The following is Harness's own account of the circumstances in which +Letter 92 was written:-- + + "A coolness afterwards arose, which Byron alludes to in the first of + the accompanying letters, and we never spoke during the last year of + his remaining at school, nor till after the publication of his 'Hours + of Idleness'. Lord Byron was then at Cambridge; I, in one of the upper + forms, at Harrow. In an English theme I happened to quote from the + volume, and mention it with praise. It was reported to Byron that I + had, on the contrary, spoken slightingly of his work and of himself, + for the purpose of conciliating the favour of Dr. Butler, the master, + who had been severely satirised in one of the poems. Wingfield, who + was afterwards Lord Powerscourt, a mutual friend of Byron and myself, + disabused him of the error into which he had been led, and this was + the occasion of the first letter of the collection. Our intimacy was + renewed, and continued from that time till his going abroad. Whatever + faults Lord Byron might have had towards others, to myself he was + always uniformly affectionate. I have many slights and neglects + towards him to reproach myself with; but I cannot call to mind a + single instance of caprice or unkindness, in the whole course of our + friendship, to allege against him." + +In December, 1811, Harness paid Byron a visit at Newstead, the only +other guest being Francis Hodgson, who, like Harness, was not then +ordained. He thus describes the visit ('Life of the Rev. Francis +Hodgson', vol. i. pp. 219-221):-- + + "When Byron returned, with the MS. of the first two cantos of 'Childe + Harold' in his portmanteau, I paid him a visit at Newstead. It was + winter--dark, dreary weather--the snow upon the ground; and a + straggling, gloomy, depressive, partially inhabited place the Abbey + was. Those rooms, however, which had been fitted up for residence were + so comfortably appointed, glowing with crimson hangings, and cheerful + with capacious fires, that one soon lost the melancholy feeling of + being domiciled in the wing of an extensive ruin. Many tales are + related or fabled of the orgies which, in the poet's early youth, had + made clamorous these ancient halls of the Byrons. I can only say that + nothing in the shape of riot or excess occurred when I was there. The + only other visitor was Dr. Hodgson, the translator of 'Juvenal', and + nothing could be more quiet and regular than the course of our days. + Byron was retouching, as the sheets passed through the press, the + stanzas of 'Childe Harold'. Hodgson was at work in getting out the + ensuing number of the 'Monthly Review', of which he was principal + editor. I was reading for my degree. When we met, our general talk was + of poets and poetry--of who could or who could not write; but it + occasionally rose into very serious discussions on religion. Byron, + from his early education in Scotland, had been taught to identify the + principles of Christianity with the extreme dogmas of Calvinism. His + mind had thus imbibed a most miserable prejudice, which appeared to be + the only obstacle to his hearty acceptance of the Gospel. Of this + error we were most anxious to disabuse him. The chief weight of the + argument rested with Hodgson, who was older, a good deal, than myself. + I cannot even now--at a distance of more than fifty years--recall + those conversations without a deep feeling of admiration for the + judicious zeal and affectionate earnestness (often speaking with tears + in his eyes) which Dr. Hodgson evinced in his advocacy of the truth. + The only difference, except perhaps in the subjects talked about, + between our life at Newstead Abbey and that of the great families + around us, was the hours we kept. It was, as I have said, winter, and + the days were cold; and, as nothing tempted us to rise early, we got + up late. This flung the routine of the day rather backward, and we did + not go early to bed. My visit to Newstead lasted about three weeks, + when I returned to Cambridge to take my degree." + +To Harness Byron intended to dedicate 'Childe Harold', but feared to do +so, "lest it should injure him in his profession."] + + +[Footnote 2: Three Wingfields, sons of Lord Powerscourt, entered Harrow +in February, 1801. The Hon. Richard Wingfield succeeded his father as +fifth Viscount Powerscourt in 1809, and died in 1823. Edward became a +clergyman and died of cholera in 1825; John, Byron's friend, the +"Alonzo" of "Childish Recollections" entered the Coldstream Guards, and +died of fever at Coimbra, May 14, 1811. + + "Of all human beings, I was perhaps at one time most attached to poor + Wingfield, who died at Coimbra, 1811, before I returned to England" + +('Life', p. 21). To his memory Byron wrote the lines in 'Childe Harold', +Canto I. stanza xci.] + + + + + +93.--To J. Ridge. + + + [Mr. Ridge, Newark.] + + Dorant's Hotel, February 21st, 1808. + + + Mr. Ridge,--Something has occurred which will make considerable + alteration in my new volume. You must _go back_ and _cut out_ the + whole _poem_ of 'Childish Recollections'. [1] Of course you will be + surprized at this, and perhaps displeased, but it must be _done_. I + cannot help its detaining you a _month_ longer, but there will be + enough in the volume without it, and as I am now reconciled to Dr. + Butler I cannot allow my satire to appear against him, nor can I alter + that part relating to him without spoiling the whole. You will + therefore omit the whole poem. Send me an _immediate_ answer to this + letter but _obey_ the directions. It is better that my reputation + should suffer as a poet by the omission than as a man of honour by the + insertion. + + Etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: For "Childish Recollections," see 'Poems', vol.i. p.101. A +previous letter, written to Ridge from Dorant's Hotel, January 9, 1808, +illustrates the rapidity with which Byron's moods changed. In this case, +the lines on "Euryalus" (Lord Delawarr: see page 41 [Letter 13], +[Foot]note 1 [5]) were to be omitted:-- + + "Mr. Ridge,--In Childish Recollections omit the whole character of + 'Euryalus', and insert instead the lines to 'Florio' as a part of the + poem, and send me a proof in due course. + + "Etc. etc., + + "BYRON. + + "P.S.--The first line of the passage to be omitted begins 'Shall fair + Euryalus,' etc., and ends at 'Toil for more;' omit the _whole_."] + + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +1808-1809. + +'ENGLISH BARDS, AND SCOTCH REVIEWERS.' + + + + + +94.--To the Rev. John Becher. [1] + + + Dorant's Hotel, Feb. 26, 1808. + + + MY DEAR BECHER,--Now for Apollo. I am happy that you still retain your + predilection, and that the public allow me some share of praise. I am + of so much importance that a most violent attack is preparing for me + in the next number of the 'Edinburgh Review'. [2] This I had from the + authority of a friend who has seen the proof and manuscript of the + critique. You know the system of the Edinburgh gentlemen is universal + attack. They praise none; and neither the public nor the author + expects praise from them. It is, however, something to be noticed, as + they profess to pass judgment only on works requiring the public + attention. You will see this when it comes out;--it is, I understand, + of the most unmerciful description; but I am aware of it, and hope + 'you' will not be hurt by its severity. + + Tell Mrs. Byron not to be out of humour with them, and to prepare her + mind for the greatest hostility on their part. It will do no injury + whatever, and I trust her mind will not be ruffled. They defeat their + object by indiscriminate abuse, and they never praise except the + partisans of Lord Holland and Co. [3] It is nothing to be abused when + Southey, Moore, Lauderdale, Strangford, and Payne Knight, share the + same fate. [4] + + I am sorry--but "Childish Recollections" must be suppressed during + this edition. I have altered, at your suggestion, the _obnoxious + allusions_ in the sixth stanza of my last ode. + + And now, my dear Becher, I must return my best acknowledgments for the + interest you have taken in me and my poetical bantlings, and I shall + ever be proud to show how much I esteem the _advice_ and the + _adviser._ + + Believe me, most truly, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: The Rev. John Thomas Becher (1770-1848), educated at +Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford, was appointed Vicar of Rumpton, +Notts., and Midsomer Norton, 1801; Prebendary of Southwell in 1818; and +chairman of Newark Quarter Sessions in 1816. In all matters relating to +the condition of the poor he made himself an acknowledged authority. He +was the originator of a house of correction, a Friendly Society, and a +workhouse at Southwell. He was one of the "supervisors" appointed to +organize the Milbank Penitentiary, which was opened in June, 1816. On +Friendly Societies he published three works (1824, 1825, and 1826), in +which, 'inter alia', he sought to prove that labourers, paying sixpence +a week from the time they were twenty, could secure not only sick-pay, +but an annuity of five shillings a week at the age of sixty-five. His +'Anti-Pauper System' (1828) pointed to indoor relief as the true cure to +pauperism. It was by Becher's advice that Byron destroyed his 'Fugitive +Pieces'. No one who has read the silly verses which Becher condemned, +can doubt that the counsel was wise (see Byron's Lines to Becher, +'Poems', vol. i. pp. 112-114, 114-116, 247-251). The following are the +lines in which Becher expostulated with Byron on the mischievous +tendency of his verses:-- + + "Say, Byron! why compel me to deplore + Talents designed for choice poetic lore, + Deigning to varnish scenes, that shun the day, + With guilty lustre, and with amorous lay? + Forbear to taint the Virgin's spotless mind, + In Power though mighty, be in Mercy kind, + Bid the chaste Muse diffuse her hallowed light, + So shall thy Page enkindle pure delight, + Enhance thy native worth, and proudly twine, + With Britain's Honors, those that are divine." + + +[Footnote 2: See, for the Review itself, Appendix II. + + "As an author," writes Byron to Hobhouse, February 27, 1808, "I am cut + to atoms by the E-----'Review;' it is just out, and has completely + demolished my little fabric of fame. This is rather scurvy treatment + for a Whig Review; but politics and poetry are different things, and I + am no adept in either. I therefore submit in silence." + +Among the less sentimental effects of this Review upon Byron's mind, he +used to mention that, on the day he read it, he drank three bottles of +claret to his own share after dinner; that nothing, however, relieved +him till he had given vent to his indignation in rhyme, and that "after +the first twenty lines, he felt himself considerably better" (Moore, +'Life', p. 69). + + "I was sitting with Charles Lamb," H. Crabb Robinson told De Morgan, + "when Wordsworth came in, with fume in his countenance and the + 'Edinburgh Review' in his hand. + + 'I have no patience with these Reviewers,' he said; 'here is a young + man, a lord, and a minor, it appears, who publishes a little volume + of poetry; and these fellows attack him, as if no one may write + poetry unless he lives in a garret. The young man will do something, + if he goes on.' + + When I became acquainted with Lady Byron, I told her this story, and + she said, + + 'Ah! if Byron had known that, he would never have attacked + Wordsworth. He once went out to dinner where Wordsworth was to be; + when he came home, I said, + + "Well, how did the young poet get on with the old one?" + + "To tell you the truth," said he, "I had but one feeling from the + beginning of the visit to the end--'reverence!'"'" + +('Diary,' iii. 488.)] + + +[Footnote 3: That is to say, the 'Edinburgh Review' praised only Whigs. +Henry Richard Vassall Fox, third Lord Holland (1773-1840), the "nephew +of Fox, and friend of Grey," married, in 1797, Elizabeth Vassall, the +divorced wife of Sir Godfrey Webster. He held the office of Lord Privy +Seal in the Ministry of All the Talents (October, 1806, to March, 1807). +During the long exclusion of the Whigs from office (1807-32), when there +seemed as little chance of a Whig Administration as of "a thaw in Nova +Zembla," Holland, in the House of Lords, supported Catholic +Emancipation, advocated the emancipation of slaves, opposed the +detention of Napoleon as a prisoner of war, and moved the abolition of +capital punishment for minor offences. From November, 1830, to his +death, with brief intervals, he was Chancellor of the Duchy of +Lancaster, in the administrations of Lord Grey and of Lord Melbourne. +Outside the House he kept the party together by his great social gifts. +An admirable talker, 'raconteur', and mimic, with a wit's relish for +wit, the charm of his good temper was irresistible. + + "In my whole experience of our race," said Lord Brougham, "I never saw + such a temper, nor anything that at all resembled it" + +('Statesmen of the Time of George III.', ed. 1843, 3rd series, p. 341). +Greville speaks of + + "his imperturbable temper, unflagging vivacity and spirit, his + inexhaustible fund of anecdote, extensive information, sprightly wit" + +('Memoirs', iii. 446). Leslie, in his 'Autobiographical Recollections' +(vol. i. p. 100), adds the tribute that + + "he was, without any exception, the very best-tempered man I have ever + known." + +Lord John Russell (preface to vol. vi. of the 'Life of Thomas Moore') +says that + + + "he won without seeming to court, instructed without seeming to teach, + and he amused without labouring to be witty." + +George Ticknor ('Life', vol. i. p. 264) + + "never met a man who so disarms opposition in discussion, as I have + often seen him, without yielding an iota, merely by the unpretending + simplicity and sincerity of his manner." + +Sydney Smith ('Memoir of the Rev. Sydney Smith', chap. x. p. 187) +considered that his + + "career was one great, incessant, and unrewarded effort to resist + oppression, promote justice, and restrain the abuse of power. He had + an invincible hatred of tyranny and oppression, and the most ardent + love of public happiness and attachment to public rights." + +A lover of art, a scholar, a linguist, he wrote memoirs, satires, and +verses, collected materials for a life of his uncle, Charles James Fox, +and translated both from the Spanish and Italian. His 'Account of the +Life and Writings of Lope Felix de Vega Carpio' (1806) was reviewed +favourably by the 'Edinburgh Review' for October, 1806. Byron attacked +him in 'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers' (lines 540-559, and +'notes'), on the supposition that Lord Holland had instigated the +article in the 'Edinburgh Review' on 'Hours of Idleness' (January, +1808). In 1812, learning his mistake, and hearing from Rogers that Lord +and Lady Holland desired the satire to be withdrawn, he gave orders that +the whole impression should be burned (see 'Introduction to English +Sards, and Scotch Reviewers, Poems,' vol. i. p. 294). In his 'Journal' +(November 17, 1813) he writes, + + "I have had a most kind letter from Lord Holland on 'The Bride of + Abydos,' which he likes, and so does Lady H. This is very good-natured + in both, from whom I do not deserve any quarter. Yet I 'did' think at + the time, that my cause of enmity proceeded from Holland House, and am + glad I was wrong, and wish I had not been in such a hurry with that + confounded Satire, of which I would suppress even the memory; but + people, now they can't get it, make a fuss, I verily believe out of + contradiction."] + + +[Footnote 4: In the early numbers of the 'Edinburgh Review' reviews were +published of Southey's 'Thalaba' and 'Madoc;' of Moore's 'Odes of +Anacreon' and 'Poems;' of Lord Lauderdale's 'Inquiry into the Nature and +Origin of Public Wealth;' of Lord Strangford's 'Translations from +Camoëns;' of Payne Knight's 'Principles of Taste.'] + + + + + +95.--To the Rev. John Becher. + + + + Dorant's, March 28, 1808. + + + I have lately received a copy of the new edition from Ridge, and it is + high time for me to return my best thanks to you for the trouble you + have taken in the superintendence. This I do most sincerely, and only + regret that Ridge has not seconded you as I could wish,--at least, in + the bindings, paper, etc., of the copy he sent to me. Perhaps those + for the public may be more respectable in such articles. + + You have seen the 'Edinburgh Review', of course. I regret that Mrs. + Byron is so much annoyed. For my own part, these "paper bullets of the + brain" have only taught me to stand fire; and, as I have been lucky + enough upon the whole, my repose and appetite are not discomposed. + Pratt, [1] the gleaner, author, poet, etc., etc., addressed a long + rhyming epistle to me on the subject, by way of consolation; but it + was not well done, so I do not send it, though the name of the man + might make it go down. The E. Rs. have not performed their task well; + at least the literati tell me this; and I think _I_ could write a more + sarcastic critique on _myself_ than any yet published. For instance, + instead of the remark,--ill-natured enough, but not keen,--about + Macpherson, I (quoad reviewers) could have said, "Alas, this imitation + only proves the assertion of Dr. Johnson, that many men, women, and + _children_, could write such poetry as Ossian's." [2] + + I am _thin_ and in exercise. During the spring or summer I trust we + shall meet. I hear Lord Ruthyn leaves Newstead in April. As soon as he + quits it for ever, I wish much you would take a ride over, survey the + mansion, and give me your candid opinion on the most advisable mode of + proceeding with regard to the _house_. _Entre nous_, I am cursedly + dipped; my debts, _every_ thing inclusive, will be nine or ten + thousand before I am twenty-one. But I have reason to think my + property will turn out better than general expectation may conceive. + Of Newstead I have little hope or care; but Hanson, my agent, + intimated my Lancashire property was worth three Newsteads. I believe + we have it hollow; though the defendants are protracting the + surrender, if possible, till after my majority, for the purpose of + forming some arrangement with me, thinking I shall probably prefer a + sum in hand to a reversion. Newstead I may _sell_;--perhaps I will + not,--though of that more anon. I will come down in May or June. + + Yours most truly, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: Samuel Jackson Pratt (1749-1814), actor, itinerant +lecturer, poet of the Cruscan school, tragedian, and novelist, published +a large number of volumes. His 'Gleanings' in England, Holland, Wales, +and Westphalia attained some reputation. His 'Sympathy, a Poem' (1788) +passed through several editions. His stage-name, as well as his 'nom de +plume', was Courtney Melmoth. He was the discoverer and patron of the +cobbler-poet, Blacket (see also 'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers', +line 319, note 2).] + +[Footnote 2: "Dr. Johnson's reply to the friend who asked him if any man +'living' could have written such a book, is well known: 'Yes, sir; many +men, many women, and many children.' I inquired of him myself if this +story was authentic, and he said it was" (Mrs. Piozzi, 'Johnsoniana', p. +84).--[Moore.]] + + + + + +96.--To the Hon. Augusta Leigh. + + + [Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket, Cambridge.] + + + Dorant's, [Tuesday], April 26th, 1808. + + My dear Augusta,--I regret being compelled to trouble you again, but + it is necessary I should request you will inform Col. Leigh, if the + P's consent is not obtained in a few days, it will be of little + service to Mr. Wallace, who is ordered to join the 17th in ten days, + the Regiment is stationed in the East Indies, and, as he has already + served there nine years, he is unwilling to return. I shall feel + particularly obliged by Col. Leigh's interference, as I think from his + influence the Prince's consent might be obtained. I am not much in the + habit of asking favours, or pressing exertion, but, on this occasion, + my wish to save Wallace must plead my excuse. + + I have been introduced to Julia Byron [1] by Trevannion at the Opera; + she is pretty, but I do not admire her; there is too much Byron in her + countenance, I hear she is clever, a very great defect in a woman, who + becomes conceited in course; altogether I have not much inclination to + improve the acquaintance. + + I have seen my old friend George, [1] who will prove the best of the + family, and will one day be Lord B. I do not much care how soon. + + Pray name my nephew after his uncle; it must be a nephew, (I _won't_ + have a _niece,_) I will make him my _heir,_ for I shall never marry, + unless I am ruined, and then his _inheritance_ would not be great. + + George will have the title and his _laurels;_ my property, (if any is + left in five years time,) I can leave to whom I please, and your son + shall be the legatee. Adieu. + + Yours ever, + + BYRON. + +[Footnote 1: George Anson Byron, R.N. (1758-1793), second son of Admiral +the Hon. John Byron, by his wife Sophia Trevanion, and brother of +Byron's father, married Henrietta Charlotte Dallas, by whom he had a +son, George, who was at this time in the Royal Navy, and in 1824 +succeeded as seventh Lord Byron; and a daughter, Julia Byron, who +married, in 1817, the Rev. Robert Heath. Of his cousin George, Byron +writes in his 'Journal' for November 30, 1813 ('Life,' p. 209): + + "I like George much more than most people like their heirs. He is a + fine fellow, and every inch a sailor." + +Again on December 1, 1813, he says, + + "I hope he will be an admiral, and, perhaps, Lord Byron into the + bargain. If he would but marry, I would engage never to marry myself, + or cut him out of the heirship." + +George Anson Byron and his wife both died in 1793.] + + + + + +97.--To the Rev. John Becher. + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., Sept. 14, 1808. + + My dear Becher,--I am much obliged to you for your inquiries, and + shall profit by them accordingly. I am going to get up a play here; + the hall will constitute a most admirable theatre. I have settled the + 'dram. pers.,' and can do without ladies, as I have some young friends + who will make tolerable substitutes for females, and we only want + three male characters, beside Mr. Hobhouse and myself, for the play we + have fixed on, which will be the 'Revenge.' [1] Pray direct Nicholson + the carpenter to come over to me immediately, and inform me what day + you will dine and pass the night here. + + Believe me, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: Young's tragedy (1721), from which one of Byron's Harrow +speeches in the character of "Zanga" was taken (see page 27 [Letter 10], +[Foot]note 1).] + + + + + +98.--To John Jackson. [1] + + + N. A., Notts., September 18, 1808. + + + Dear Jack,--I wish you would inform me what has been done by Jekyll, + at No. 40, Sloane Square, concerning the pony I returned as unsound. + + I have also to request you will call on Louch at Brompton, and inquire + what the devil he meant by sending such an insolent letter to me at + Brighton; and at the same time tell him I by no means can comply with + the charge he has made for things pretended to be damaged. + + Ambrose behaved most scandalously about the pony. You may tell Jekyll + if he does not refund the money, I shall put the affair into my + lawyer's hands. Five and twenty guineas is a sound price for a pony, + and by God, if it costs me five hundred pounds, I will make an example + of Mr. Jekyll, and that immediately, unless the cash is returned. + + Believe me, dear Jack, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: John Jackson (1769-1845), better known as "Gentleman" +Jackson, was champion of England from 1795 to 1803. His three fights +were against Fewterel (1788), George Ingleston (1789), and Mendoza +(1795). In his fight at Ingatestone with "George the Brewer," he slipped +on the wet stage, and, falling, dislocated his ankle and broke his leg. +His fight with Mendoza at Hornchurch, Essex, was decided in nine rounds. +At the end of the third round "the odds rose two to one on Mendoza." In +the fifth, Jackson "seized hold of his opponent by the hair, and served +him out in that defenceless state till he fell to the ground." The fight +was practically over, and the odds at once turned in favour of Jackson, +who thenceforward had matters all his own way. Even if Mendoza had worn +a wig, he probably would have succumbed to Jackson, who was a more +powerful man with a longer reach, and as scientific, though not so +ornamental, a boxer. In 1803 Jackson retired from the ring. + + "I can see him now" ('Pugilistica,' vol. i. 98), "as I saw him in '84, + walking down Holborn Hill towards Smithfield. He had on a scarlet coat + worked in gold at the button-holes, ruffles, and frill of fine lace, a + small white stock, no collar (they were not then invented), a looped + hat with a broad black band, buff knee-breeches, and long silk + strings, striped white silk stockings, pumps, and paste buckles; his + waistcoat was pale blue satin, sprigged with white. It was impossible + to look on his fine ample chest, his noble shoulders, his waist, (if + anything too small,) his large, but not too large hips, ... his limbs, + his balustrade calf and beautifully turned, but not over delicate + ankle, his firm foot, and peculiarly small hand, without thinking that + nature had sent him on earth as a model. On he went at a good five + miles and a half an hour, the envy of all men, and the admiration of + all women." + +His rooms at 13, Bond Street, became the head-quarters of the Pugilistic +Club, with whose initials, P.C., the ropes and stakes at prize-rings +were marked (see page 99 [Letter 51], [Foot]note 1; and Pierce Egan's +'Life in London,' pp. 252-254). From 1803 to 1824, when he retired from +the profession, he was, as Pierce Egan says of him (p. 254), unrivalled +as "a teacher of the Art of 'self-defence.'" His character stood high. +"From the highest to the lowest person in the Sporting World, his +'decision' is law." + + "This gentleman," says Moore, in a note to 'Tom Crib's Memorial to + Congress' (p. 13), "as he well deserves to be called, from the + correctness of his conduct and the peculiar urbanity of his manners, + forms that useful link between the amateurs and the professors of + pugilism, which, when broken, it will be difficult, if not wholly + impossible, to replace." + +He was Byron's guest at Cambridge, Newstead, and Brighton; received from +him many letters; and is described by him, in a note to 'Don Juan' +(Canto XI. stanza xix.), as "my old friend and corporeal pastor and +master." Jackson's monument in Brompton Cemetery, a couchant lion and a +mourning athlete, was subscribed for "by several noblemen and gentlemen, +to record their admiration of one whose excellence of heart and +incorruptible worth endeared him to all who knew him."] + + + + + +99.--To John Jackson. + + N. A., Notts., October 4, 1808. + + You will make as good a bargain as possible with this Master Jekyll, + if he is not a gentleman. If he is a _gentleman_, inform me, for I + shall take very different steps. If he is not, you must get what you + can of the money, for I have too much business on hand at present to + commence an action. Besides, Ambrose is the man who ought to + refund,--but I have done with him. You can settle with L. out of the + balance, and dispose of the bidets, etc., as you best can. + + I should be very glad to see you here; but the house is filled with + workmen, and undergoing a thorough repair. I hope, however, to be more + fortunate before many months have elapsed. + + If you see Bold Webster, [1] remember me to him, and tell him I have + to regret Sydney, who has perished, I fear, in my rabbit warren, for + we have seen nothing of him for the last fortnight. Adieu. [2] + + Believe me, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: Sir Godfrey Vassal Webster (1788-1836).] + +[Footnote 2: A third letter to Jackson, written from Newstead, December +12, 1808, runs as follows:-- + + "My Dear Jack,--You will get the greyhound from the owner at any + price, and as many more of the same breed (male or female) as you can + collect. + + "Tell D'Egville his dress shall be returned--I am obliged to him for + the pattern. I am sorry you should have so much trouble, but I was not + aware of the difficulty of procuring the animals in question. I + shall have finished part of my mansion in a few weeks, and, if you can + pay me a visit at Christmas, I shall be very glad to see you. + + Believe me, etc." + +In a bill, for 1808, sent in to Byron by Messrs. Finn and Johnson, +tailors, of Nottingham, appears the following item: "Masquerade Jackett +with belt and rich Turban, £11:9:6." This is probably the dress made +from d'Egville's pattern. + +James d'Egville learned dancing from Gaetano Vestris, well known at the +Court of Frederick the Great, and from Gardel, the Court teacher of +Marie Antoinette. He, his brother Louis, and his sister Madame Michau, +were the most famous teachers of the day in England. The real name of +the family was Hervey; that of d'Egville was assumed for professional +purposes. James d'Egville enjoyed a great reputation, both as an actor +and a dancer, in Paris and London. He was Acting-Manager and Director of +the King's Theatre (October, 1807, to January, 1808), but was dismissed, +owing to a disagreement between the managers, in the course of which he +was accused of French proclivities and republican principles (see +Waters's 'Opera-Glass', pp. 133-145). A man of taste and cultivation, he +produced some musical extravaganzas and ballets; 'e.g. Don Quichotte ou +les Noces de Gamache, L'Elèvement d'Adonis, The Rape of Dejanira', etc. + +A coloured print, in the possession of his great-nephew, Mr. Louis +d'Egville, represents him, with Deshayes, in one of his most successful +appearances, the ballet-pantomime of 'Achille et Deidamie'. He was an +enthusiastic sportsman.] + + + + + +100.--To his Mother. + + + Newstead Abbey, Notts, October 7, 1808. + + + Dear Madam,--I have no beds for the Hansons or any body else at + present. The Hansons sleep at Mansfield. I do not know that I resemble + Jean Jacques Rousseau. [1] I have no ambition to be like so + illustrious a madman--but this I know, that I shall live in my own + manner, and as much alone as possible. When my rooms are ready I shall + be glad to see you: at present it would be improper, and uncomfortable + to both parties. You can hardly object to my rendering my mansion + habitable, notwithstanding my departure for Persia in March (or May at + farthest), since _you_ will be _tenant_ till my return; and in case of + any accident (for I have already arranged my will to be drawn up the + moment I am twenty-one), I have taken care you shall have the house + and manor for _life_, besides a sufficient income. So you see my + improvements are not entirely selfish. As I have a friend here, we + will go to the Infirmary Ball on the 12th; we will drink tea with Mrs. + Byron [2] at eight o'clock, and expect to see you at the ball. If that + lady will allow us a couple of rooms to dress in, we shall be highly + obliged:--if we are at the ball by ten or eleven, it will be time + enough, and we shall return to Newstead about three or four. Adieu. + + Believe me, yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: In Byron's 'Detached Thoughts', quoted by Moore ('Life', p. +72), he thus refers to the comparison with Rousseau:-- + + "My mother, before I was twenty, would have it that I was like + Rousseau, and Madame de Stael used to say so too in 1813, and the + 'Edinburgh Review' has something of the sort in its critique on the + fourth canto of 'Childe Harold'. I can't see any point of + resemblance:--he wrote prose, I verse: he was of the people; I of the + aristocracy: he was a philosopher; I am none: he published his first + work at forty; I mine at eighteen: his first essay brought him + universal applause; mine the contrary: he married his housekeeper; I + could not keep house with my wife: he thought all the world in a plot + against him; my little world seems to think me in a plot against it, + if I may judge by their abuse in print and coterie: he liked botany; I + like flowers, herbs, and trees, but know nothing of their pedigrees: + he wrote music; I limit my knowledge of it to what I catch by _ear_--I + never could learn any thing by _study_, not even a _language_--it was + all by rote and ear, and memory: he had a _bad_ memory; I _had_, at + least, an excellent one (ask Hodgson the poet--a good judge, for he + has an astonishing one): he wrote with hesitation and care; I with + rapidity, and rarely with pains: _he_ could never ride, nor swim, nor + 'was cunning of fence;' _I_ am an excellent swimmer, a decent, though + not at all a dashing, rider, (having staved in a rib at eighteen, in + the course of scampering,) and was sufficient of fence, particularly + of the Highland broadsword,--not a bad boxer, when I could keep my + temper, which was difficult, but which I strove to do ever since I + knocked down Mr. Purling, and put his knee-pan out (with the gloves + on), in Angelo's and Jackson's rooms in 1806, during the sparring, + --and I was, besides, a very fair cricketer,--one of the Harrow + eleven, when we played against Eton in 1805. Besides, Rousseau's way + of life, his country, his manners, his whole character, were so very + different, that I am at a loss to conceive how such a comparison could + have arisen, as it has done three several times, and all in rather a + remarkable manner. I forgot to say that _he_ was also short-sighted, + and that hitherto my eyes have been the contrary, to such a degree + that, in the largest theatre of Bologna, I distinguished and read some + busts and inscriptions, painted near the stage, from a box so distant + and so _darkly_ lighted, that none of the company (composed of young + and very bright-eyed people, some of them in the same box,) could make + out a letter, and thought it was a trick, though I had never been in + that theatre before. + + "Altogether, I think myself justified in thinking the comparison not + well founded. I don't say this out of pique, for Rousseau was a great + man; and the thing, if true, were flattering enough;--but I have no + idea of being pleased with the chimera."] + + +[Footnote 2: The Hon. Mrs. George Byron, 'née' Frances Levett, Byron's +great-aunt, widow of the Hon. George Byron, fourth brother of William, +fifth Lord Byron.] + + + + + +101.--To his Mother. + + + Newstead Abbey, November 2, 1808. + + + DEAR MOTHER,--If you please, we will forget the things you mention. I + have no desire to remember them. When my rooms are finished, I shall + be happy to see you; as I tell but the truth, you will not suspect me + of evasion. I am furnishing the house more for you than myself, and I + shall establish you in it before I sail for India, which I expect to + do in March, if nothing particularly obstructive occurs. I am now + fitting up the _green_ drawing-room; the red for a bed-room, and the + rooms over as sleeping-rooms. They will be soon completed;--at least + I hope so. + + I wish you would inquire of Major Watson (who is an old Indian) what + things will be necessary to provide for my voyage. I have already + procured a friend to write to the Arabic Professor at Cambridge, [1] + for some information I am anxious to procure. I can easily get letters + from government to the ambassadors, consuls, etc., and also to the + governors at Calcutta and Madras. I shall place my property and my + will in the hands of trustees till my return, and I mean to appoint + you one. From Hanson I have heard nothing--when I do, you shall have + the particulars. + + After all, you must own my project is not a bad one. If I do not + travel now, I never shall, and all men should one day or other. I have + at present no connections to keep me at home; no wife, or unprovided + sisters, brothers, etc. I shall take care of you, and when I return I + may possibly become a politician. A few years' knowledge of other + countries than our own will not incapacitate me for that part. If we + see no nation but our own, we do not give mankind a fair chance;--it + is from _experience_, not books, we ought to judge of them. There is + nothing like inspection, and trusting to our own senses. + + Yours, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: The Rev. John Palmer, Fellow of St. John's, Adam's +Professor of Arabic (1804-19).] + + + + + +102.--To Francis Hodgson. [1] + + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., Nov. 3, 1808. + + + My Dear Hodgson,--I expected to have heard ere this the event of your + interview with the mysterious Mr. Haynes, my volunteer correspondent; + however, as I had no business to trouble you with the adjustment of my + concerns with that illustrious stranger, I have no right to complain + of your silence. + + You have of course seen Drury, [2] in all the pleasing palpitations of + anticipated wedlock. Well! he has still something to look forward to, + and his present extacies are certainly enviable. "Peace be with him + and with his spirit," and his flesh also, at least just now ... + + Hobhouse and your humble are still here. Hobhouse hunts, etc., and I + do nothing; we dined the other day with a neighbouring Esquire (not + Collet of Staines), and regretted your absence, as the Bouquet of + Staines was scarcely to be compared to our last "feast of reason." You + know, laughing is the sign of a rational animal; so says Dr. Smollett. + I think so, too, but unluckily my spirits don't always keep pace with + my opinions. I had not so much scope for risibility the other day as I + could have wished, for I was seated near a woman, to whom, when a boy, + I was as much attached as boys generally are, and more than a man + should be. [3] I knew this before I went, and was determined to be + valiant, and converse with _sang froid_; but instead I forgot my + valour and my nonchalance, and never opened my lips even to laugh, far + less to speak, and the lady was almost as absurd as myself, which made + both the object of more observation than if we had conducted ourselves + with easy indifference. You will think all this great nonsense; if you + had seen it, you would have thought it still more ridiculous. What + fools we are! We cry for a plaything, which, like children, we are + never satisfied with till we break open, though like them we cannot + get rid of it by putting it in the fire. + + I have tried for Gifford's _Epistle to Pindar_,[4] and the bookseller + says the copies were cut up for _waste paper_; if you can procure me a + copy I shall be much obliged. Adieu! + + Believe me, my dear Sir, yours ever sincerely, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Francis Hodgson (1781-1852), educated at Eton (1794-99) and +at King's College, Cambridge, Scholar (1799), Fellow (1802), hesitated +between literature and the bar as his profession. For three years he was +a private tutor, for one (1806) a master at Eton. In 1807 he became a +resident tutor at King's. It was not till 1812 that he decided to take +orders. Two years later he married Miss Tayler, a sister of Mrs. Henry +Drury, and took a country curacy. In 1816 he was given the Eton living +of Bakewell, in Derbyshire, became Archdeacon of Derby in 1836, and in +1840 Provost of Eton. At Eton he died December 29, 1852. + +Hodgson's literary facility was extraordinary. He rhymed with an ease +which almost rivals that of Byron, and from 1807 to 1818 he poured out +quantities of verse, English and Latin, original and translated, besides +writing articles for the 'Quarterly', the 'Monthly', and the 'Critical' +Reviews. He published his 'Translation of Juvenal' in 1807, in which he +was assisted by Drury and Merivale; 'Lady Jane Grey', a Tale; and other +Poems (1809); 'Sir Edgar, a Tale' (1810); 'Leaves of Laurel' (1812); +'Charlemagne, an Epic Poem' (1815), translated from the original of +Lucien Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, by S. Butler and Francis Hodgson; +'The Friends, a Poem in Four Books; Mythology for Versification' (1831); +'A Charge, as Archdeacon of Derby' (1837); 'Sermons' (1846); and other +works. + +His acquaintance with Byron began in 1807, when Byron was meditating +'British Bards', and Hodgson, provoked by a review of his 'Juvenal' in +the 'Edinburgh Review', was composing his 'Gentle Alterative prepared +for the Reviewers', which appears on pp. 56, 57 of 'Lady Jane Grey'. +There are some curious points of resemblance between the two poems, +though Hodgson's lines can hardly be compared for force and sting to +'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers'. Like Byron (see 'English Bards, +etc'., line 513, note 7), he makes merry over the blunder of the +'Edinburgh' reviewer, who, in an article on Payne Knight's 'Principles +of Taste', severely criticized some Greek lines which he attributed to +Knight, but which, in fact, were by Pindar:-- + + "And when he frown'd on Kn--'s erroneous Greek, + Bad him in Pindar's page that error seek." + +Like Byron also, he attributes the blunder to Hallam, and speaks of +"Hallam's baffled art." The article was written by Lord Holland's +physician, Dr. Allen, who, according to Sydney Smith, had "the creed of +a philosopher and the legs of a clergyman." Like Byron also (see +'English Bards, etc'., line 820), he appeals to Gifford, who was an old +family friend, to return to the fray:-- + + "Oh! for that voice, whose cadence loud and strong + Drove Delia Crusca from the field of song-- + And with a force that guiltier fools should feel, + Rack'd a vain butterfly on Satire's wheel." + +In a note appended to the words in his satire--"Like clowns detest +nobility"--he refers to the 'Edinburgh's' treatment of Byron's verse. + +The link thus established between Byron and Hodgson grew stronger for +the next few years. Hodgson suppressed Moore's challenge to the author +of 'English Bards'; was Byron's guest at Newstead (see page 179 [Letter +92], in [Foot]note [further down]); pleaded with him on the subject of +religion; translated his lines, "I would I were a careless child," into +Latin verse ('Lady Jane Grey', p. 94); addressed him in poetry, as, for +instance, in the "Lines to a Friend going abroad" ('Sir Edgar', p. 173). +Byron, on his side, seems to have been sincerely attached to Hodgson, to +whom he left, by his first will (1811), one-third of his personal goods, +and in 1813 gave £1000 to enable him to marry. Hodgson corresponded with +Mrs. Leigh and with Miss Milbanke, afterwards Lady Byron, endeavoured to +heal the breach between husband and wife, and was one of the mourners at +Hucknall Torkard Church. + +In Haydon's 'Table-Talk' (vol. ii. pp. 367-8) is recorded a conversation +with Hobhouse on the subject of Hodgson. Haydon's account of Hobhouse's +words is confused; but he definitely asserts that Hodgson's life was +dissipated, and insinuates that he perverted Byron's character. Part of +the explanation is probably this: Hodgson's friend, the Rev. Robert +Bland, kept a mistress, described as a woman of great personal and +mental attraction. He asked Hodgson, during his absence on the +Continent, to visit the lady and send him frequent news of her. Hodgson +did so, with the result that, at Bland's return, the lady refused to see +him. When Byron came back from his Eastern tour, he received a frantic +letter from Bland, telling him that Hodgson had stolen her love. To this +Byron refers in his letter to Harness, December 15, 1811, and probably +told an embellished story to Hobhouse. But Hodgson himself warmly +repudiated the charge; and there is no reason to think that his version +of the affair is not the truth.] + + +[Footnote 2: The Rev. Henry Drury married, December 20, 1808, Ann +Caroline, daughter of Archdale Wilson Tayler, of Boreham Wood, Herts. +Their five sons were all educated at Harrow: Henry, Archdeacon of Wilts +and editor of 'Arundines Cami' (1841); Byron, Vice-Admiral R.N.; +Benjamin Heath, Vice-President of Caius College, Cambridge; Heber, +Colonel in the Madras Army; Charles Curtis, General of the Bengal Staff +Corps (see also page 41 [Letter 14], [Foot]note 2 [1]).] + + +[Footnote 3: Mrs. Chaworth Musters (see Byron's lines, "Well! thou art +happy," 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 277-279).] + + +[Footnote 4: William Gifford (1756-1826), a self-taught scholar, first a +ploughboy, then boy on board a Brixham coaster, afterwards shoemaker's +apprentice, was sent by friends to Exeter College, Oxford (1779-81). In +the 'Baviad' (1794) and the 'Maeviad' (1795) he attacked many of the +smaller writers of the day, who were either silly, like the Delia +Cruscan school, or discreditable, like Williams, who wrote as "Anthony +Pasquin." In his 'Epistle to Peter Pindar' (1800) he succeeds in laying +bare the true character of John Wolcot. As editor of the 'Anti-Jacobin, +or Weekly Examiner' (November, 1797, to July, 1798), he supported the +political views of Canning and his friends. As editor of the 'Quarterly +Review', from its foundation (February, 1809) to his resignation in +September, 1824, he did yeoman's service to sound literature by his good +sense and adherence to the best models. It was a period when all +criticism was narrow, and, to some degree, warped by political +prejudice. In these respects, Gifford's work may not have risen +above--it certainly did not fall below--the highest standard of +contemporary criticism. His editions of 'Massinger' (1805), which +superseded that of Monck Mason and Davies (1765), of 'Ben Jonson' +(1816), of 'Ford' (1827), are valuable. To his translation of 'Juvenal' +(1802) is prefixed his autobiography. His translation of 'Persius' +appeared in 1821. To Gifford, Byron usually paid the utmost deference. + + "Any suggestion of yours, even if it were conveyed," he writes to him, + in 1813, "in the less tender text of the 'Baviad,' or a Monk Mason + note to Massinger, would be obeyed." + +See also his letter (September 7, 1811), in which he calls Gifford his +"Magnus Apollo," and values his praise above the gems of Samarcand. + + "He was," says Sir Walter Scott ('Diary,' January 18, 1827), "a little + man, dumpled up together, and so ill-made as to seem almost deformed, + but with a singular expression of talent in his countenance." + +Byron was attracted to Gifford, partly by his devotion to the classical +models of literature, partly by the outspoken frankness of his literary +criticism, partly also, perhaps, by his physical deformity. + + + + + +103.--To John Hanson. + + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., November 18th, 1808. + + + Dear Sir,--I am truly glad to hear your health is reinstated. As for + my affairs I am sure you will do your best, and, though I should be + glad to get rid of my Lancashire property for an equivalent in money, + I shall not take any steps of that nature without good advice and + mature consideration. + + I am (as I have already told you) going abroad in the spring; for this + I have many reasons. In the first place, I wish to study India and + Asiatic policy and manners. I am young, tolerably vigorous, abstemious + in my way of living; I have no pleasure in fashionable dissipation, + and I am determined to take a wider field than is customary with + travellers. If I return, my judgment will be more mature, and I shall + still be young enough for politics. With regard to expence, travelling + through the East is rather inconvenient than expensive: it is not like + the tour of Europe, you undergo hardship, but incur little hazard of + spending money. If I live here I must have my house in town, a + separate house for Mrs. Byron; I must keep horses, etc., etc. When I + go abroad I place Mrs. Byron at Newstead (there is one great expence + saved), I have no horses to keep. A voyage to India will take me six + months, and if I had a dozen attendants cannot cost me five hundred + pounds; and you will agree with me that a like term of months in + England would lead me into four times that expenditure. I have written + to Government for letters and permission of the Company, so you see I + am _serious._ + + You honour my debts; they amount to perhaps twelve thousand pounds, + and I shall require perhaps three or four thousand at setting out, + with credit on a Bengal agent. This you must manage for me. If my + resources are not adequate to the supply I must _sell_, but _not + Newstead._ I will at least transmit that to the next Lord. My debts + must be paid, if possible, in February. I shall leave my affairs to + the care of _trustees_, of whom, with your acquiescence, I shall _name + you_ one, Mr. Parker another, and two more, on whom I am not yet + determined. + + Pray let me hear from you soon. Remember me to Mrs. Hanson, whom I + hope to see on her return. Present my best respects to the young lady, + and believe me, etc., + + BYRON. + + + + + +104.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., Nov. 27, 1808. + + + My Dear Sir,--Boatswain [1] is to be buried in a vault waiting for + myself. I have also written an epitaph, which I would send, were it + not for two reasons: one is, that it is too long for a letter; and the + other, that I hope you will some day read it on the spot where it will + be engraved. + + You discomfort me with the intelligence of the real orthodoxy of the + Arch-fiend's name, [2] but alas! it must stand with me at present; if + ever I have an opportunity of correcting, I shall liken him to + Geoffrey of Monmouth, a noted liar in his way, and perhaps a more + correct prototype than the Carnifex of James II. + + I do not think the composition of your poem "a sufficing reason" for + not keeping your promise of a Christmas visit. Why not come? I will + never disturb you in your moments of inspiration; and if you wish to + collect any materials for the _scenery_?,[3] Hardwicke (where Mary was + confined for several years) is not eight miles distant, and, + independent of the interest you must take in it as her vindicator, is + a most beautiful and venerable object of curiosity. I shall take it + very ill if you do not come; my mansion is improving in comfort, and, + when you require solitude, I shall have an apartment devoted to the + purpose of receiving your poetical reveries. + + I have heard from our Drury; he says little of the Row, which I + regret: indeed I would have sacrificed much to have contributed in any + way (as a schoolboy) to its consummation; but Butler survives, and + thirteen boys have been expelled in vain. Davies is not here, but + Hobhouse hunts as usual, and your humble servant "drags at each remove + a lengthened chain." I have heard from his Grace of Portland [4] on + the subject of my expedition: he talks of difficulties; by the gods! + if he throws any in my way I will next session ring such a peal in his + ears, + + That he shall wish the fiery + Dane Had rather been his guest again. [5] + + You do not tell me if Gifford is really my commentator: it is too good + to be true, for I know nothing would gratify my vanity so much as the + reality; even the idea is too precious to part with. + + I shall expect you here; let me have no more excuses. Hobhouse desires + his best remembrance. We are now lingering over our evening potations. + I have extended my letter further than I ought, and beg you will + excuse it; on the opposite page I send you some stanzas [6] I wrote + off on being questioned by a former flame as to my motives for + quitting this country. You are the first reader. Hobhouse hates + everything of the kind, therefore I do not show them to him. Adieu! + + Believe me, yours very sincerely, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Boatswain, the Newfoundland dog, died November 18, 1808. +(For Byron's inscriptions in prose and verse, see 'Poems', vol. i. p. +280.)] + + +[Footnote 2: Byron at first thought that Jeffrey, the editor of the +'Edinburgh Review', spelt his name in the same way as the Judge Jeffreys +of the Bloody Assizes. He probably writes "orthodoxy" for "orthography" +as a joke. (See the lines quoted from 'British Bards' in notes to +'English. Bards, etc.', line 439, note 2.)] + + +[Footnote 3: It is stated that Hodgson was writing a poem on Mary Queen +of Scots ('Life of Rev. Francis Hodgson', vol. i. p. 107). No such poem +was apparently ever published. In Hodgson's 'Lady Jane Grey', Queen Mary +of England plays a part; hence, possibly, the mistake.] + + +[Footnote 4: Byron asked the Duke of Portland to procure him "permission +from the E.I. Directors to pass through their settlements." The duke +replied, in effect, that Byron trespassed on his time and patience. So +Byron at least took his answer (see 'English Bards, and Scotch +Reviewers,' line 1016 and note 2).] + + +[Footnote 5: 'Marmion', Canto II. stanza xxxi.] + + +[Footnote 6: See stanzas "To a Lady on being asked my Reason for +Quitting England in the Spring" ('Poems', vol. i. p. 282).] + + + + + +105.--To the Hon. Augusta Leigh. + + + [Ld. Chichester's, Stratton Street, London.] + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., [Wednesday], Novr. 30th, 1808. + + + My Dearest Augusta,--I return you my best thanks for making me an + uncle, and forgive the sex this time; but the next _must_ be a nephew. + You will be happy to hear my Lancashire property is likely to prove + extremely valuable; indeed my pecuniary affairs are altogether far + superior to my expectations or any other person's. If I would _sell_, + my income would probably be six thousand per annum; but I will not + part at least with Newstead, or indeed with the other, which is of a + nature to increase in value yearly. I am living here _alone_, which + suits my inclinations better than society of any kind. Mrs. Byron I + have shaken off for two years, and I shall not resume her yoke in + future, I am afraid my disposition will suffer in your estimation; but + I never can forgive that woman, or breathe in comfort under the same + roof. + + 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. + + I do not know that much alteration has taken place in my person, + except that I am grown much thinner, and somewhat taller! I saw Col. + Leigh at Brighton in July, where I should have been glad to have seen + you; I only know your husband by sight, though I am acquainted with + many of the Tenth. Indeed my relations are those whom I know the + least, and in most instances, I am not very anxious to improve the + acquaintance. I hope you are quite recovered, I shall be in town in + January to take my seat, and will call, if convenient; let me hear + from you before. + + [Signature cut off, and over the page is, in Mrs. Leigh's writing, + this endorsement: "Sent to Miss Alderson to go to Germany, May 29th, + 1843."] + + + + + +106.--To the Hon. Augusta Leigh. + + [Ld. Chichester's, Stratton Street, London.] + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., Decr. 14th, 1808. + + My Dearest Augusta,--When I stated in my last, that my intercourse + with the world had hardened my heart, I did not mean from any + matrimonial disappointment, no, I have been guilty of many + absurdities, but I hope in God I shall always escape that worst of + evils, Marriage. I have no doubt there are exceptions, and of course + include you amongst them, but you will recollect, that "_exceptions + only prove the Rule_." + + I live here much in my own manner, that is, _alone_, for I could not + bear the company of my best friend, above a month; there is such a + sameness in mankind upon the whole, and they grow so much more + disgusting every day, that, were it not for a portion of Ambition, and + a conviction that in times like the present we ought to perform our + respective duties, I should live here all my life, in unvaried + Solitude. I have been visited by all our Nobility and Gentry; but I + return no visits. Joseph Murray is at the head of my household, poor + honest fellow! I should be a great Brute, if I had not provided for + him in the manner most congenial to his own feelings, and to mine. I + have several horses, and a considerable establishment, but I am not + addicted to hunting or shooting. I hate all field sports, though a few + years since I was a tolerable adept in the _polite_ arts of + Foxhunting, Hawking, Boxing, etc., etc. My Library is rather + extensive, (and as you perhaps know) I am a mighty Scribbler; I + flatter myself I have made some improvements in Newstead, and, as I am + independent, I am happy, as far as any person unfortunate enough to be + born into this world, can be said to be so. + + I shall be glad to hear from you when convenient, and beg you to + believe me, + + Very sincerely yours, + + BYRON. + + + + + +107.--To John Hanson. + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., Dec. 17, 1808. + + My Dear Sir,--I regret the contents of your letter as I think we shall + be thrown on our backs from the delay. I do not know if our best + method would not be to compromise if possible, as you know the state + of my affairs will not be much bettered by a protracted and possibly + unsuccessful litigation. However, I am and have been so much in the + dark during the whole transaction that I am not a competent judge of + the most expedient measures. I suppose it will end in my marrying a + _Golden Dolly_ [1] or blowing my brains out; it does not much matter + which, the remedies are nearly alike. I shall be glad to hear from you + further on the business. I suppose now it will be still more difficult + to come to any terms. Have you seen Mrs. Massingberd, and have you + arranged my Israelitish accounts? Pray remember me to Mrs. Hanson, to + Harriet, and all the family, female and male. + + Believe me also, yours very sincerely, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron also advised his marriage with an heiress. The +following passage is taken from her letter to Hanson, January 30, 1809:-- + + "I was sorry I could not see you here. Byron told me he intended to + put his servants on Board Wages at Newstead. I was very sorry to hear + of the great expence the Newstead _fête_ would put him to. I can see + nothing but the Road to Ruin in all this, which grieves me to the + heart and makes me still worse than I would otherwise be (unless, + indeed, Coal Mines turn to Gold Mines), or that he mends his fortune + in the old and usual way by marrying a Woman with two or three hundred + thousand pounds. I have no doubt of his being a great speaker and a + celebrated public character, and _all_ that; but that _won't add_ to + his fortune, but bring on more expenses on him, and there is nothing + to be had in this country to make a man rich in his line of life." + +In another letter to Hanson, dated March 4, 1809, she returns to the +same subject:-- + + "I have had a very dismal letter from my son, informing me that he is + _ruined_. He wishes to borrow my money. This I shall be very ready to + oblige him in, on such security as you approve. As it is my _all_, + this is very necessary, and I am sure he would not wish to have it on + any other terms. It cannot be paid up, however, under six months' + notice. I wish he would take the debt of a thousand pounds, that I + have been security for, on himself, and pay about eighty pounds he + owes here. + + I wish to God he would exert himself and retrieve his affairs. He + must marry a Woman of _fortune_ this spring; love matches is all + nonsense. Let him make use of the Talents God has given him. He is an + English Peer, and has all the privileges of that situation. What is + this about proving his grandfather's marriage? I thought it had been + in Lancashire. If it was not, it surely easily can be proved. Is + nothing going forward concerning the Rochdale Property? I am sure, if + I was Lord Byron, I would sell no estates to pay Jews; I only would + pay what was lawful. Pray answer the note immediately, and answer all + my questions concerning lending the money, the Rochdale property, and + why B. don't or can't take his seat, which is very hard, and very + provoking. + + I am, Dear Sir, yours sincerely, + + C. G. BYRON."] + + + + + +108.--To Francis Hodgson. + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., Dec. 17, 1808. + + My Dear Hodgson,--I have just received your letter, and one from B. + Drury, [1] which I would send, were it not too bulky to despatch + within a sheet of paper; but I must impart the contents and consign + the answer to your care. In the first place, I cannot address the + answer to him, because the epistle is without date or direction; and + in the next, the contents are so singular that I can scarce believe my + optics, "which are made the fools of the other senses, or else worth + all the rest." + + A few weeks ago, I wrote to our friend Harry Drury of facetious + memory, to request he would prevail on his brother at Eton to receive + the son of a citizen in London well known unto me as a pupil; the + family having been particularly polite during the short time I was + with them, induced me to this application. "Now mark what follows," as + somebody or Southey sublimely saith: on this day, the 17th December, + arrives an epistle signed B. Drury, containing not the smallest + reference to tuition or _in_tuition, but a _petition_ for _Robert + Gregson_, [2] of pugilistic notoriety, now in bondage for certain + paltry pounds sterling, and liable to take up his everlasting abode in + Banco Regis. Had this letter been from any of my _lay_ acquaintance, + or, in short, from anyone but the gentleman whose signature it bears, + I should have marvelled not. If Drury is serious, I congratulate + pugilism on the acquisition of such a patron, and shall be happy to + advance any sum necessary for the liberation of the captive Gregson; + but I certainly hope to be certified from you or some reputable + housekeeper of the fact, before I write to Drury on the subject. When + I say the _fact_, I mean of the _letter_ being written by _Drury_, not + having any doubt as to the authenticity of the statement. The letter + is now before me, and I keep it for your perusal. When I hear from you + I shall address my answer to him, under _your care_; for as it is now + the vacation at Eton, and the letter is without _time_ or _place_, I + cannot venture to consign my sentiments on so _momentous_ a _concern_ + to chance. + + To you, my dear Hodgson, I have not much to say. If you can make it + convenient or pleasant to trust yourself here, be assured it will be + both to me. + + + +[Footnote 1: Benjamin Heath Drury (1782-1835), second son of the +Headmaster of Harrow (see page 41 [Letter 14], [Foot]note 2 [1]), was a +Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and Assistant-master at Eton. +Gronow ('Reminiscences', vol. i. pp. 209 and 233) says that Drury was +"passionately devoted to theatricals," and, with his friend Knapp, +frequently drove up to London after school-hours to sup with Edmund Kean +and Arnold at Drury Lane or the Hummums in Covent Garden. On one +occasion they took with them Lord Eldon's son, then a school-boy at +Eton. After supper the party were "run in" by the watchmen, and bailed +out at Bow Street by the Lord Chancellor's secretary.] + + +[Footnote 2: Bob Gregson (1778-1824), the big-boned, burly landlord of +the Castle, Holborn, known as "Bob's Chop-house," was a familiar figure +in the sporting world. When captain of the Liverpool and Wigan Packet, +he established his reputation in Lancashire as a fighter. He stood 6 +feet 1-1/2 inches in height, and weighed 15 stone 6 pounds. But, in +spite of the eulogies of Pierce Egan--a low-caste Irishman, who was +first a compositor, then a comedian, and afterwards a newspaper reporter +(see Grantley Berkeley's 'My Life and Recollections', vol. i. pp. 107, +108)--Gregson had no science, and depended only on his strength, +courage, and endurance. He was beaten by Gully at Six Mile Bottom in +1807, and again in 1808 at Markyate Street; also by Tom Cribb at Moulsey +Hurst in 1808 ('Pugilistica', vol. i. pp. 237-241). Failing as landlord +of the Castle, he set up a school of boxing at Dublin, where he +afterwards kept "the Punch House," in Moor Street. He died at Liverpool +in 1824. According to Egan ('Boxiana', vol. i. pp. 357, 358), Gregson +"united Pugilism with Poetry." On this claim he adopted the letters +"P.P." after his name. Egan gives some of his doggerel among "Prime +Chaunts for the Fancy" ('ibid'., p. 358). Moore, in 'Tom Crib's Memorial +to Congress', attributes to him his "Lines to Miss Grace Maddox" (pp. +75-77); "Ya-Hip, my Hearties!" (pp. 80-83); and "The Annual Pill" (pp. +84-86).] + + + + + +109.--To John Hanson. + + + Newstead Abbey, Jan. 15th, 1809. + + + My Dear Sir,--I am much obliged by your kind invitation, but I wish + you, if possible, to be here on the 22nd. [1] Your presence will be of + great service, everything is prepared for your reception exactly as if + I remained, and I think Hargreaves will be gratified by the appearance + of the place, and the humours of the day. I shall on the first + opportunity pay my respects to your family, and though I will not + trespass on your hospitality on the 22nd, my obligation is not less + for your agreeable offer, which on any other occasion would be + immediately accepted, but I wish you much to be present at the + festivities, and I hope you will add Charles to the party. Consider, + as the Courtier says in the tragedy of _Tom Thumb_ [2]-- + + "This is a day; your Majesties may boast of it, + And since it never can come o'er, 'tis fit you make the most of it." + + I shall take my seat as soon as circumstances will admit. I have not + yet chosen my side in politics, nor shall I hastily commit myself with + professions, or pledge my support to any men or measures, but though I + shall not run headlong into opposition, I will studiously avoid a + connection with ministry. I cannot say that my opinion is strongly in + favour of either party; [3] on the one side we have the late + underlings of Pitt, possessing all his ill fortune, without his + talents; this may render their failure more excusable, but will not + diminish the public contempt; on the other, we have the ill-assorted + fragments of a worn-out minority; Mr. Windham with his coat _twice_ + turned, and my Lord Grenville who perhaps has more sense than he can + make good use of; between the two and the shuttlecock of both, a + Sidmouth, and the general _football_ Sir F. Burdett, kicked at by all, + and owned by none. + + I shall stand aloof, speak what I think, but not often, nor too soon. + I will preserve my independence, if possible, but if involved with a + party, I will take care not to be the _last_ or _least_ in the ranks. + As to _patriotism_, the word is obsolete, perhaps improperly, so, for + all men in the Country are patriots, knowing that their own existence + must stand or fall with the Constitution, yet everybody thinks he + could alter it for the better, and govern a people, who are in fact + easily governed, but always claim the privilege of grumbling. So much + for Politics, of which I at present know little and care less; bye and + bye, I shall use the senatorial privilege of talking, and indeed in + such times, and in such a crew, it must be difficult to hold one's + tongue. + + Believe me, etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Byron's coming of age was celebrated at Newstead on January +22, 1809.] + + +[Footnote 2: See O'Hara's acting version of Fielding's _Tom Thumb the +Great_, act i. sc. I-- + + "_Doodle_. A Day we never saw before; + A Day of fun and drollery. + + _Noodle_. That you may say, + Their Majesties may boast of it; + And since it never can come more, + 'Tis fit they make the most of it."] + + +[Footnote 3: Lord Grenville (1759-1834) became First Lord of the +Treasury; Lord Sidmouth, Lord Privy Seal; and William Windham, Secretary +for War, in February, 1806. They, with Fox and his friends, formed the +administration of "All the Talents," which in March, 1807, fell over the +Roman Catholic question. They were succeeded by the Duke of Portland's +Ministry, which included the "late underlings of Pitt,"--Perceval, +Canning, Dundas, etc. "Weathercock" Windham, in the Ministry of "All the +Talents," was responsible for the conduct of a war which, as leader of +the so-called "New Opposition," he had vigorously opposed. Sir Francis +Burdett's zeal for Parliamentary Reform involved him in hostility to +both Whigs and Tories, who had combined to exclude him from Parliament +after his election for Middlesex (1802-6). In 1807 he had been elected +for Westminster.] + + + + + +110.--To R. C. Dallas. + + Reddish's Hotel, Jan. 25, 1809. + + My Dear Sir,--My only reason for not adopting your lines is because + they are _your_ lines. [1] You will recollect that Lady Wortley + Montague said to Pope: "No touching, for the good will be given to + you, and the bad attributed to me." I am determined it shall be all my + own, except such alterations as may be absolutely required; but I am + much obliged by the trouble you have taken, and your good opinion. + + The couplet on Lord C. [2] may be scratched out and the following + inserted: + + Roscommon! Sheffield! with your spirits fled, + No future laurels deck a noble head. + Nor e'en a hackney'd Muse will deign to smile + On minor Byron, nor mature Carlisle. + + This will answer the purpose of concealment. Now for some couplets on + Mr. Crabbe, [3] which you may place after "Gifford, Sotheby, M'Niel:" + + There be who say, in these enlightened days, + That splendid lies are all the Poet's praise; + That strained invention, ever on the wing, + Alone impels the modern Bard to sing. + 'Tis true that all who rhyme, nay, all who write, + Shrink from that fatal word to genius, trite: + Yet Truth will sometimes lend her noblest fires, + And decorate the verse herself inspires. + This fact in Virtue's name let Crabbe attest; + Though Nature's sternest painter, yet the best. + + I am sorry to differ with you with regard to the title, [4] but I mean + to retain it with this addition: _The British [the word "British" is + struck through] English Bards and Scotch Reviewers_; and if we call it + a _Satire_, it will obviate the objection, as the Bards also were + Welch. Your title is too humorous;--and as I know a little of----, I + wish not to embroil myself with him, though I do not commend his + treatment of----. I shall be glad to hear from you or see you, and beg + you to believe me, + + Yours very sincerely, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Dallas (January 24, 1809) takes "the liberty of sending you +some two dozen lines," etc.] + + +[Footnote 2: The couplet on Lord Carlisle, as it stood in 'British Bards', +was-- + + "On one alone Apollo deigns to smile, + And crowns a new Roscommon in Carlisle." + +(See 'English Bards, etc.', lines 723, 'et seqq.'; see also line 927, +note 2. For Lord Carlisle, see page 36, note 2.)] + + +[Footnote 3: For "Gifford, Sotheby, Macneil," see 'English Bards, etc'., +line 818, and 'notes'. Dallas had written (January 24, 1809), + + "I am sorry you have not found a place among the genuine sons of + Apollo for Crabbe, who, in spite of something bordering on servility + in his dedication, may surely rank with some you have admitted to his + temple" + +(see 'English Bards, etc'., lines 849-858).] + + +[Footnote 4: Dallas suggested as a title, 'The Parish Poor of +Parnassus'.] + + + + + +111.--To R. C. Dallas. + + February 7, 1809. + + My Dear Sir,--Suppose we have this couplet-- + + Though sweet the sound, disdain a borrow'd tone, + Resign Achaia's lyre, and strike your own: [1] + + or, + + Though soft the echo, scorn a borrow'd tone, + Resign Achaia's lyre, and strike your own. + + So much for your admonition; but my note of notes, my solitary pun, + [2] must not be given up--no, rather + + "Let mightiest of all the beasts of chace + That roam in woody Caledon" + + come against me; my annotation must stand. + + We shall never sell a thousand; then why print so many? Did you receive + my yesterday's note? I am troubling you, but I am apprehensive some of + the lines are omitted by your young amanuensis, to whom, however, I am + infinitely obliged. + + Believe me, yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Dallas (February 6, 1809) objected to the rhyme in the +couplet:-- + + "Translation's servile work at length disown, + And quit Achaia's Muse to court your own." + +(For the corrected couplet, see 'English Bards, etc'., lines 889, 890.)] + + +[Footnote 2: See 'English Bards, etc.', line 1016, note 2.] + + + + + +112.--To R. C. Dallas. + + February 11, 1809. + + I wish you to call, if possible, as I have some alterations to suggest + as to the part about Brougham. [1] + + B. + + + +[Footnote 1: See 'ibid.', line 524, note 2.] + + + + + +113.--To R. C. Dallas. + + February 12, 1809. + + Excuse the trouble, but I have added two lines which are necessary to + complete the poetical character of Lord Carlisle. [1] + + ..........in his age + His scenes alone had damn'd our singing stage; + But Managers for once cried, "hold, enough!" + Nor drugg'd their audience with the tragic stuff! + + Yours, etc., + + B. + + + +[Footnote 1: See 'ibid.', lines 733-736. Another letter, written +February 15, 1809, runs as follows:-- + + "I wish you much to call on me, about _One_, not later, if convenient, + as I have some thirty or forty lines for addition. + + Believe me, etc., + + B."] + + + + + +114.--To R. C. Dallas. + + February 16, 1809. + + _Ecce iterum Crispinus!_--I send you some lines to be placed after + "Gifford, Sotheby, M'Niel." [1] Pray call tomorrow any time before + two, and + + Believe me, etc., + + B. + + P.S.--Print soon, or I shall overflow with more rhyme. + + + +[Footnote 1: See 'English Bards, etc.', lines 819-830.] + + + + + +115.--To R. C. Dallas. + + + February 19, 1809. + + + I enclose some lines to be inserted, the first six after "Lords too + are bards," etc., or rather immediately following the line: + + "Ah! who would take their titles with their rhymes." + + The four next will wind up the panegyric on Lord Carlisle, and come + after "tragic stuff." [1] + + Yours truly. + + In these our times with daily wonders big, + A letter'd Peer is like a letter'd Pig: + Both know their alphabet, but who from thence + Infers that Peers or Pigs have manly sense? + Still less that such should woo the graceful Nine? + Parnassus was not made for Lords and Swine. + Roscommon, Sheffield, etc., etc. + ... + ... tragic stuff. + Yet at their judgment let his Lordship laugh, + And case his volumes in congenial calf: + Yes, doff that covering where morocco shines, + "And hang a calf-skin on those recreant" lines. + + +[Footnote 1: See 'ibid.', lines 736-740.] + + + + + +116.--To R. C. Dallas. + + February 22, 1809. + + A cut at the opera.--_Ecce signum_! from last night's observation, + and inuendos against the Society for the Suppression of Vice. [1] + The lines will come well in after the couplets concerning Naldi and + Catalani! [2] + + Yours truly, + + BYRON. + + +[Footnote 1: See 'English Bards, etc.', lines 618-631, note 1, for the +"cut at the opera." The piece which provoked the outburst was 'I +Villegiatori Rezzani', at the King's Theatre, February 21, 1809. +Guiseppe Naldi (1770-1820) made his 'début' in London, at the King's +Theatre, in April, 1806. (For further details, see 'English Bards, +etc.', line 613, note 2.) Angelica Catalani, born at Sinigaglia, in +1779, or, according to some authorities, 1785, came out at Venice, in an +opera by Nasolini. She sang in many capitals of Europe, married at +Lisbon a French officer named Vallabrègue, and came to London in +October, 1806. The salary paid her was a cause of the O. P. riots at +Covent Garden in 1809, when one of the cries was, "No foreigners! No +Catalani!" A series of caricatures, one set by Isaac Cruikshank, and +several medals, commemorate the riots. Madame Catalani died at Paris in +1849.] + + +[Footnote 2: See 'English Bards, etc.', lines 632-637.] + + + + + +117.--To his Mother. + + + 8, St. James's Street, March 6, 1809. + + + Dear Mother,--My last letter was written under great depression of + spirits from poor Falkland's death, [1] who has left without a + shilling four children and his wife. I have been endeavouring to + assist them, which, God knows, I cannot do as I could wish, for my own + embarrassments and the many claims upon me from other quarters. + + What you say is all very true: come what may, _Newstead_ and I _stand_ + or fall together. I have now lived on the spot, I have fixed my heart + upon it, and no pressure, present or future, shall induce me to barter + the last vestige of our inheritance. I have that pride within me which + will enable me to support difficulties. I can endure privations; but + could I obtain in exchange for Newstead Abbey the first fortune in the + country, I would reject the proposition. Set your mind at ease on that + score; Mr. Hanson talks like a man of business on the subject,--I feel + like a man of honour, and I will not sell Newstead. + + I shall get my seat [2] on the return of the affidavits from Carhais, + in Cornwall, and will do something in the House soon: I must dash, or + it is all over. My Satire must be kept secret for a _month_; after + that you may say what you please on the subject. Lord Carlisle has + used me infamously, and refused to state any particulars of my family + to the Chancellor. I have _lashed_ him in my rhymes, and perhaps his + lordship may regret not being more conciliatory. They tell me it will + have a sale; I hope so, for the bookseller has behaved well, as far as + publishing well goes. + + Believe me, etc. + + P.S.--You shall have a mortgage on one of the farms. [3] + + + +[Footnote 1: Captain Charles John Cary, R.N., succeeded his brother +Thomas in 1796 as ninth Lord Falkland. He married, in 1803, Miss Anton, +the daughter of a West India merchant. He had been recently dismissed +from his ship "on account of some irregularities arising from too free a +circulation of the bottle." But he had received a promise of being +reinstated, and, in high spirits at the prospect, dined one evening in +March, 1809, at Stevens's Coffeehouse, in Bond Street. There he applied +to Mr. Powell an offensive nickname. "He lost his life for a joke, and +one too he did not make himself" (Medwin, 'Conversations', ed. 1825, p. +66). A challenge resulted. The parties met on Goldar's Green, and +Falkland, mortally wounded, died two days later in Powell's house in +Devonshire Place, on March 7, 1809. ('Annual Register', vol. li. pp. +449, 450.) For a more detailed account, see 'Gentleman's Magazine' for +March, 1809. Both accounts give March 7 as the date of Falkland's death. +A posthumous child was born to Lady Falkland. Byron stood godfather, and +gave £500 at the christening. + + +[Footnote 2: Byron took his seat in the House of Lords, March 13, 1809. +The delay was caused by the difficulty of proving the marriage of +Admiral the Hon. John Byron with Miss Sophia Trevanion in the private +chapel of Carhais. Probably Carlisle neither possessed nor withheld any +information.] + + +[Footnote 3: Byron had borrowed £1000 for his return to Cambridge in +1807: £200 from Messrs. Wylde and Co., bankers, of Southwell; and the +remainder from the Misses Parkyns, and his great-aunt, the Hon. Mrs. +George Byron. For this debt his mother made herself liable. No mortgage +was given (see page 221 [Letter 121], [Foot]note 2 [1]).] + + + + + +118.--To William Harness. + + 8, St. James's Street, March 18, 1809. + + There was no necessity for your excuses: if you have time and + inclination to write, "for what we receive, the Lord make us + thankful,"--if I do not hear from you, I console myself with the idea + that you are much more agreeably employed. + + I send down to you by this post a certain Satire lately published, and + in return for the three and sixpence expenditure upon it, only beg + that if you should guess the author, you will keep his name secret; at + least for the present. London is full of the Duke's business. [1] The + Commons have been at it these last three nights, and are not yet come + to a decision. I do not know if the affair will be brought before our + House, unless in the shape of an impeachment. If it makes its + appearance in a debatable form, I believe I shall be tempted to say + something on the subject.--I am glad to hear you like Cambridge: + firstly, because, to know that you are happy is pleasant to one who + wishes you all possible sublunary enjoyment; and, secondly, I admire + the morality of the sentiment. _Alma Mater_ was to me _injusta + noverca_; and the old beldam only gave me my M.A. degree because she + could not avoid it. [2]--You know what a farce a noble Cantab. must + perform. + + I am going abroad, if possible, in the spring, and before I depart I + am collecting the pictures of my most intimate school-fellows; I have + already a few, and shall want yours, or my cabinet will be incomplete. + I have employed one of the first miniature painters [3] of the day to + take them, of course, at my own expense, as I never allow my + acquaintance to incur the least expenditure to gratify a whim of mine. + To mention this may seem indelicate; but when I tell you a friend of + ours first refused to sit, under the idea that he was to disburse on + the occasion, you will see that it is necessary to state these + preliminaries to prevent the recurrence of any similar mistake. I + shall see you in time, and will carry you to the 'limner'. It + will be a tax on your patience for a week; but pray excuse it, as it + is possible the resemblance may be the sole trace I shall be able to + preserve of our past friendship and acquaintance. Just now it seems + foolish enough; but in a few years, when some of us are dead, and + others are separated by inevitable circumstances, it will be a kind of + satisfaction to retain in these images of the living the idea of our + former selves, and, to contemplate, in the resemblances of the dead, + all that remains of judgment, feeling, and a host of passions. But all + this will be dull enough for you, and so good night; and, to end my + chapter, or rather my homily, + + Believe me, my dear H., yours most affectionately, + + + +[Footnote 1: This was the inquiry into the charges made by Colonel +Gwyllym Wardle, M.P. for Okehampton (1807-12), against the Duke of York +and his mistress, Mary Ann Clarke. The inquiry began January 27, 1809, +and ended March 20, 1809, with the duke's resignation, the Commons +having previously (March 17) acquitted him of "personal connivance and +corruption." + +The case has passed into literature. Wardle, the valorous Dowler, and +Lowten, Mr. Perker's clerk, had all figured in the trial before they +played their parts in 'Pickwick'. Wardle, who was a colonel of the Welsh +Fusiliers ("Wynne's Lambs") had fought at Vinegar Hill. After losing his +seat, he took a farm between Tunbridge Wells and Rochester, from which +he fled to escape his creditors, and died at Florence, November 30, +1834, aged seventy-two.] + + +[Footnote 2: Byron took his M.A. degree, July 4, 1808. In another letter +to Harness, dated February, 1809, he says, + + "I do not know how you and Alma Mater agree. I was but an untoward + child myself, and I believe the good lady and her brat were equally + rejoiced when I was weaned, and if I obtained her benediction at + parting, it was, at best, equivocal."] + + +[Footnote 3: George Sanders (1774-1846) painted miniatures, made +watercolour copies of continental master-pieces, and afterwards became a +portrait-painter in oils. He painted several portraits of Byron, two of +which have been often engraved.] + + + + + +119.--To William Bankes. + + Twelve o'clock, Friday night. + + My Dear Bankes,--I have just received your note; believe me I regret + most sincerely that I was not fortunate enough to see it before, as I + need not repeat to you that your conversation for half an hour would + have been much more agreeable to me than gambling [1] or drinking, or + any other fashionable mode of passing an evening abroad or at home.--I + really am very sorry that I went out previous to the arrival of your + despatch: in future pray let me hear from you before six, and whatever + my engagements may be, I will always postpone them.--Believe me, with + that deference which I have always from my childhood paid to your + _talents_, and with somewhat a better opinion of your heart than I + have hitherto entertained, + + Yours ever, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: + + "I learn with delight," writes Hobhouse from Cambridge, May 12, 1808, + "from Scrope Davies, that you have totally given up dice. To be sure + you must give it up; for you to be seen every night in the very vilest + company in town--could anything be more shocking, anything more unfit? + I speak feelingly on this occasion, 'non ignara mali miseris, &c'. I + know of nothing that should bribe me to be present once more at such + horrible scenes. Perhaps 'tis as well that we are both acquainted with + the extent of the evil, that we may be the more earnest in abstaining + from it. You shall henceforth be 'Diis animosus hostis'." + +Moore quotes ('Life', p. 86) the following extract from Byron's +'Journal':-- + + "I have a notion that gamblers are as happy as many people, being + always _excited_. Women, wine, fame, the table,--even ambition, + _sate_ now and then; but every turn of the card and cast of the + dice keeps the gamester alive: besides, one can game ten times longer + than one can do any thing else. I was very fond of it when young, that + is to say, of hazard, for I hate all _card_ games,--even faro. + When macco (or whatever they spell it) was introduced, I gave up the + whole thing, for I loved and missed the _rattle_ and _dash_ + of the box and dice, and the glorious uncertainty, not only of good + luck or bad luck, but of _any luck at all_, as one had sometimes + to throw _often_ to decide at all. I have thrown as many as + fourteen mains running, and carried off all the cash upon the table + occasionally; but I had no coolness, or judgment, or calculation. It + was the delight of the thing that pleased me. Upon the whole, I left + off in time, without being much a winner or loser. Since + one-and-twenty years of age I played but little, and then never above + a hundred, or two, or three."] + + + + + +120.--To R. C. Dallas. + + + April 25, 1809. + + + Dear Sir,--I am just arrived at Batt's Hotel, Jermyn Street, St. + James's, from Newstead, and shall be very glad to see you when + convenient or agreeable. Hobhouse is on his way up to town, full of + printing resolution, [1] and proof against criticism.--Believe me, + with great sincerity, + + Yours truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: See page 163 [Letter 86], [Foot]note 1. Hobhouse's +miscellany was published in 1809, under the title of 'Imitations and +Translations from the Antient and Modern Classics: Together with +Original Poems never before published'.] + + + + + +121.--To John Hanson. + + + Batt's Hotel, Jermyn Street, April 26th, 1809. + + + DEAR SIR,--I wish to know before I make my final effort elsewhere, if + you can or cannot assist me in raising a sum of money on fair and + equitable terms and immediately. [1] I called twice this morning, and + beg you will favour me with an answer when convenient. I hope all your + family are well. I should like to see them together before my + departure. + + The Court of Chancery it seems will not pay the money, of which indeed + I do not know the precise amount; the Duke of Portland will not pay + his debt, and with the Rochdale property nothing is done.--My debts + are daily increasing, and it is with difficulty I can command a + shilling. As soon as possible I shall get quit of this country, but I + wish to do justice to my creditors (though I do not like their + importunity), and particularly to my securities, for their annuities + must be paid off soon, or the interest will swallow up everything. + Come what may, in every shape and in any shape, I can meet ruin, but I + will never sell Newstead; the Abbey and I shall stand or fall + together, and, were my head as grey and defenceless as the Arch of the + Priory, I would abide by this resolution. The whole of my wishes are + summed up in this; procure me, either of my own or borrowed of others, + three thousand pounds, and place two in Hammersley's hands for letters + of credit at Constantinople; if possible sell Rochdale in my absence, + pay off these annuities and my debts, and with the little that remains + do as you will, but allow me to depart from this cursed country, and I + promise to turn Mussulman, rather than return to it. Believe me to be, + + Yours truly, BYRON. + + P.S.--Is my will finished? I should like to sign it while I have + anything to leave. + + + +[Footnote 1: Money was obtained, partly by means of a life insurance +effected with the Provident Institution. The medical report, signed by +Benjamin Hutchinson, F.R.C.S., London, states that Hutchinson had +attended Byron for the last four or five years; that he was, when last +seen by Hutchinson, in very good health; that he never was afflicted +with any serious malady; that he was sober and temperate; that he +"sometimes used much exercise, and at others was of a studious and +sedentary turn;" and thus concludes: "I do believe that he possesses an +unimpaired, healthy constitution, and I am not aware of any circumstance +which may be considered as tending to shorten his life." + +Mrs. Byron (April 9, 1809) begs Hanson to see that Byron gave some +security for the thousand pounds for which she was bound. She adds: +"There is some Trades People at Nottingham that will be completely +ruined if he does not pay them, which I would not have happen for the +whole world." No security seems to have been given, and the tradesmen +remained unpaid. Mrs. Byron's death was doubtless accelerated by anxiety +from these causes.] + + + + + +122.-To the Rev. R. Lowe. [1] + + + 8, St. James Street, May 15, 1809. + + + MY DEAR SIR,--I have just been informed that a report is circulating + in Notts of an intention on my part to sell Newstead, which is rather + unfortunate, as I have just tied the property up in such a manner as + to prevent the practicability, even if my inclination led me to + dispose of it. But as such a report may render my tenants + uncomfortable, I will feel very much obliged if you will be good + enough to contradict the rumour, should it come to your ears, on my + authority. I rather conjecture it has arisen from the sale of some + copyholds of mine in Norfolk. [2] I sail for Gibraltar in June, and + thence to Malta when, of course, you shall have the promised detail. I + saw your friend Thornhill last night, who spoke of you as a friend + ought to do. Excuse this trouble, and believe me to be, with great + sincerity, + + Yours affectionately, BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1. The Rev. Robert Lowe was some years older than Byron, and +had known him intimately at Southwell in his early youth. Miss Pigot was +a cousin of Mr. Lowe, as was also the Rev. J. T. Becher of Southwell. +Mrs. Chaworth Musters, who contributed this letter to 'The Life and +Letters of Viscount Sherbrooke' (vol. i. p. 46), adds that her +grandfather was, naturally, excessively annoyed at having been made the +mouthpiece of an untruth, and that the coolness which arose in +consequence lasted up to the end of Byron's life. There can, however, be +no doubt that Byron made the statement in all sincerity.] + + +[Footnote 2: At Wymondham.] + + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +TRAVELS IN ALBANIA, GREECE, ETC.--DEATH OF MRS. BYRON. + + +1809-1811. + + + + + +123.--To his Mother. + + + Falmouth, June 22, 1809. + + + DEAR MOTHER,--I am about to sail in a few days; probably before this + reaches you. Fletcher begged so hard, that I have continued him in my + service. If he does not behave well abroad, I will send him back in a + _transport_. I have a German servant (who has been with Mr. Wilbraham + in Persia before, and was strongly recommended to me by Dr. Butler, of + Harrow), Robert and William; [1] they constitute my whole suite. I + have letters in plenty:--you shall hear from me at the different ports + I touch upon; but you must not be alarmed if my letters miscarry. The + Continent is in a fine state--an insurrection has broken out at Paris, + and the Austrians are beating Buonaparte--the Tyrolese have risen. + + There is a picture of me in oil, to be sent down to Newstead soon. [2] + --I wish the Miss Pigots had something better to do than carry my + miniatures to Nottingham to copy. Now they have done it, you may ask + them to copy the others, which are greater favourites than my own. As + to money matters, I am ruined--at least till Rochdale is sold; and if + that does not turn out well, I shall enter into the Austrian or + Russian service--perhaps the Turkish, if I like their manners. The + world is all before me, and I leave England without regret, and + without a wish to revisit any thing it contains, except _yourself_, + and your present residence. + + Believe me, yours ever sincerely. + + P.S.--Pray tell Mr. Rushton his son is well, and doing well; so is + Murray, [3] indeed better than I ever saw him; he will be back in + about a month. I ought to add the leaving Murray to my few regrets, as + his age perhaps will prevent my seeing him again. Robert I take with + me; I like him, because, like myself, he seems a friendless animal. + + + +[Footnote 1: Robert Rushton and William Fletcher, the "little page" and +"staunch yeoman" of Childe Harold's "Good Night," Canto I. stanza xiii.] + + +[Footnote 2: By George Sanders.] + + +[Footnote 3: "Joe" Murray was sent back from Gibraltar, and with him +returned the homesick Robert Rushton. + + + + + +124.--To the Rev. Henry Drury. + + + Falmouth, June 28, 1809. + + + MY DEAR DRURY,--We sail to-morrow in the Lisbon packet, having been + detained till now by the lack of wind, and other necessaries. These + being at last procured, by this time tomorrow evening we shall be + embarked on the vide vorld of vaters, vor all the vorld like Robinson + Crusoe. The Malta vessel not sailing for some weeks, we have + determined to go by way of Lisbon, and, as my servants term it, to see + "that there "'Portingale'"--thence to Cadiz and Gibraltar, and so on + our old route to Malta and Constantinople, if so be that Captain Kidd, + our gallant, or rather gallows, commander, understands plain sailing + and Mercator, and takes us on a voyage all according to the chart. + + Will you tell Dr. Butler that I have taken the treasure of a servant, + Friese, the native of Prussia Proper, into my service from his + recommendation? He has been all among the Worshippers of Fire in + Persia, and has seen Persepolis and all that. + + Hobhouse has made woundy preparations for a book on his return; 100 + pens, two gallons of Japan Ink, and several volumes of best blank, is + no bad provision for a discerning public. I have laid down my pen, but + have promised to contribute a chapter on the state of morals, and a + further treatise on the same to be intituled "..., 'Simplified,... or + Proved to be Praiseworthy from Ancient Authors and Modern Practice.'" + + Hobhouse further hopes to indemnify himself in Turkey for a life of + exemplary chastity at home. Pray buy his 'Missellingany', as the + Printer's Devil calls it. I suppose it is in print by this time. + Providence has interposed in our favour with a fair wind to carry us + out of its reach, or he would have hired a Faqui to translate it into + the Turcoman lingo. + + "The cock is crowing, + I must be going, + And can no more." + + 'Ghost of Gaffer Thumb'. [1] + Adieu.--Believe me, etc., etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: In Fielding's burlesque tragedy, 'The Tragedy of Tragedies; +or the Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great'(1730), occur the lines-- + + "Arthur, beware; I must this moment hence, + Not frighted by your voice, but by the cock's." + +The burlesque was altered by Kane O'Hara, and published as performed at +the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in 1805. In this prompt-book version (act +i.) appear the lines quoted by Byron. + + "'Ghost'. Grizzle's Rebellion, + What need I tell you on? + Or by a red cow + Tom Thumb devoured? + ('cock crows') Hark the cock crowing! + I must be going: + I can no more {'vanishes'}."] + + + + + +125.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Falmouth, June 25, 1809. + + + MY DEAR HODGSON,--Before this reaches you, Hobhouse, two officers' + wives, three children, two waiting-maids, ditto subalterns for the + troops, three Portuguese esquires and domestics, in all nineteen + souls, will have sailed in the Lisbon packet, with the noble Captain + Kidd, a gallant commander as ever smuggled an anker of right Nantz. + + We are going to Lisbon first, because the Malta packet has sailed, + d'ye see?--from Lisbon to Gibraltar, Malta, Constantinople, and "all + that," as Orator Henley said, when he put the Church, and "all that," + in danger. [1] + + This town of Falmouth, as you will partly conjecture, is no great ways + from the sea. It is defended on the sea-side by tway castles, St. Maws + and Pendennis, extremely well calculated for annoying every body + except an enemy. St. Maws is garrisoned by an able-bodied person of + fourscore, a widower. He has the whole command and sole management of + six most unmanageable pieces of ordnance, admirably adapted for the + destruction of Pendennis, a like tower of strength on the opposite + side of the Channel. We have seen St. Maws, but Pendennis they will + not let us behold, save at a distance, because Hobhouse and I are + suspected of having already taken St. Maws by a coup de main. + + The town contains many Quakers and salt fish--the oysters have a taste + of copper, owing to the soil of a mining country--the women (blessed + be the Corporation therefor!) are flogged at the cart's tail when they + pick and steal, as happened to one of the fair sex yesterday noon. She + was pertinacious in her behaviour, and damned the mayor. + + This is all I know of Falmouth. Nothing occurred of note in our way + down, except that on Hartford Bridge we changed horses at an inn, + where the great----, Beckford, [2] sojourned for the night. We tried + in vain to see the martyr of prejudice, but could not. What we thought + singular, though you perhaps will not, was that Ld Courtney [3] + travelled the same night on the same road, only one stage _behind_ him. + + Hodgson, remember me to the Drury, and remember me to yourself when + drunk. I am not worth a sober thought. Look to my satire at + Cawthorn's, Cockspur Street, and look to the 'Miscellany' of the + Hobhouse. It has pleased Providence to interfere in behalf of a + suffering public by giving him a sprained wrist, so that he cannot + write, and there is a cessation of ink-shed. + + I don't know when I can write again, because it depends on that + experienced navigator, Captain Kidd, and the "stormy winds that + (don't) blow" at this season. I leave England without regret--I shall + return to it without pleasure. I am like Adam, the first convict + sentenced to transportation, but I have no Eve, and have eaten no + apple but what was sour as a crab;--and thus ends my first chapter. + Adieu. [4] + + Yours, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: Henley, in one of his publications entitled 'Oratory +Transactions', engaged + + "to execute singly what would sprain a dozen of modern doctors of the + tribe of Issachar--to write, read, and study twelve hours a day, and + yet appear as untouched by the yoke as if he never wore it--to teach + in one year what schools or universities teach in five;" and he + furthermore pledged himself to persevere in his bold scheme until he + had "put the church,--and all that--, in danger." + +(Moore).] + + +[Footnote 2: William Beckford (1760-1844), son of Chatham's friend who +was twice Lord Mayor of London, at the age of eleven succeeded it is +said, to a million of ready money and a hundred thousand a year. Before +he was seventeen he wrote his 'Biographical Memoirs of Extraordinary +Painters', designed as a satire on the 'Vies des Peintres Flamands', +('Memoirs of William Beckford', by Cyrus Redding, vol. i. p. 96.) His +travels (1777-82) in Switzerland, the Low Countries, and Italy are +described in his 'Dreams, Waking Thoughts, and Incidents, in a series of +letters from various parts of Europe', published anonymously in 1783, +and reprinted, with additions and omissions, in 1834 and 1840. In the +previous year he had written 'Vathek' in French, in "three days and two +nights," without, as he says, taking off his clothes; "the severe +application made me very ill." This statement, if made by Beckford, as +Redding implies, is untrue. Evidence exists to prove that 'Vathek' was a +careful and elaborate composition. The book was published with his name +in 1787; but a translation, made and printed without his leave, had +already (1784) appeared, and was often mistaken for the original. In +1783 he married Lady Margaret Gordon, with whom he lived in Switzerland +till her death in 1786. One of his two daughters--he had no son--became +Mrs. Orde, the other the Duchess of Hamilton. From 1787 to 1791, and +again from 1794 to 1796, he visited Portugal and Spain, and to this +period belong his 'Sketches of Spain and Portugal' (1834), and his +'Recollections of an Excursion to the 'Monasteries of Alobaca and +Batalha' (1835). Between his two visits to Portugal, on the last of +which he occupied the retreat at Cintra celebrated by Byron ('Childe +Harold', Canto I. stanzas xviii.-xxii.), he saw the destruction of the +Bastille, bought Gibbon's library at Lausanne (in 1796), and, shutting +himself up in it "for six weeks, from early in the morning until night, +only now and then taking "a ride," read himself "nearly blind" (Cyrus +Redding's "Recollections of the Author of Vathek," 'New Monthly +Magazine', vol. lxxi. p. 307). He also wrote two burlesque novels, to +ridicule, it is said, those written by his sister, Mrs. Henry: 'Azemia; +a Descriptive and Sentimental Novel. By Jacquetta Agneta Mariana Jenks +of Bellgrove Priory in Wales' (1796); and 'Modern Novel-Writing, or the +Elegant Enthusiast. By the Rt. Hon. Lady Harriet Marlow'(1797). He +represented Wells from 1784 to 1790, and Hindon from 1806 to 1820; but +took no part in political life. He was now settled at Fonthill +(1796-1822), absorbed in collecting books, pictures, and engravings, +laying out the grounds, indulging his architectural extravagances, and +shutting himself and his palace out from the world by a gigantic wall. +When Rogers visited him at Fonthill, and arrived at the gate, he was +told that neither his servant nor his horses could be admitted, but that +Mr. Beckford's attendants and horses would be at his service +('Recollections of the Table-Talk of Samuel Rogers', p. 217). Beckford +had been taught music by Mozart, and Rogers says ('ibid'.) that "in the +evening Beckford would amuse us by reading one of his unpublished works; +or he would extemporize on the pianoforte, producing the most novel and +charming melodies." + +In 1822 his gigantic fortune had dwindled; he was in embarrassed +circumstances; Fonthill and most of its contents were sold, and Beckford +settled in Lansdowne Terrace, Bath, where he still collected books and +works of art, laid out the grounds, and built the tower on Lansdowne +Hill, which are now the property of the city. At Bath he died in 1844. + +'Vathek' is a masterpiece, which, as an Eastern tale, is unrivalled in +European literature. + + "For correctness of costume," says Byron, in one of his diaries, + "beauty of description, and power of imagination, it far surpasses all + European imitations; and bears such marks of originality, that those + who have visited the East will find some difficulty in believing it to + be a translation. As an Eastern tale, even 'Rasselas' must bow before + it: his 'Happy Valley' will not bear a comparison with the Hall of + Eblis." + +Beckford's letters are, in their way, equally masterpieces, and, like +'Vathek', have the appearance of being struck off without labour. +Reprinted, as their writer says (Preface to the edition of 1840), +because "some justly admired Authors... condescended to glean a few +stray thoughts from these letters," they suggest, in some respects, +comparison with Byron's own work. There is the same prodigality of +power, the same simple nervous style, the same vein of melancholy, the +same cynical contempt for mankind. In both writers there is a passionate +feeling for the grander aspects of nature, though Beckford was also +thrilled, as Byron was not, by the beauties of art. In both there are +similar inconsistencies and incongruities of temperament, and the same +vein of reckless self-indulgence appears to run by the side of nobler +enthusiasms. In both there is a taste for Oriental magnificence, which, +in Beckford, was to some degree corrected by his artistic perceptions. +Both, finally, described not so much the objects they saw, as the +impression which those objects produced on themselves, and thus steeped +their pictures, clear and vivid though they are, in an atmosphere of +their own personality.] + +[Footnote 3: William, third Viscount Courtenay, died unmarried in 1835, +and with him the viscountcy became extinct. In 1831 he proved before +Parliament his title to the earldom of Devon, which passed at his death +to a cousin, William, tenth Earl of Devon (1777-1859).] + + +[Footnote 4: In this letter the following verses were enclosed:-- +"Falmouth Roads, June 30, 1809. + + "Huzza! Hodgson, we are going, + Our embargo's off at last; + Favourable breezes blowing + Bend the canvass o'er the mast. + From aloft the signal's streaming, + Hark! the farewell gun is fired, + Women screeching, tars blaspheming, + Tell us that our time's expired. + Here's a rascal + Come to task all, + Prying from the Custom-house; + Trunks unpacking, + Cases cracking, + Not a corner for a mouse + 'Scapes unsearch'd amid the racket, + Ere we sail on board the Packet. + + Now our boatmen quit their mooring, + And all hands must ply the oar; + Baggage from the quay is lowering, + We're impatient--push from shore. + 'Have a care! that case holds liquor-- + Stop the boat--I'm sick--oh Lord!' + 'Sick, ma'am, damme, you'll be sicker + Ere you've been an hour on board.' + Thus are screaming + Men and women, + Gemmen, ladies, servants, Jacks; + Here entangling, + All are wrangling, + Stuck together close as wax. + Such the general noise and racket, + Ere we reach the Lisbon Packet. + + Now we've reach'd her, lo! the captain, + Gallant Kidd, commands the crew; + Passengers their berths are clapt in, + Some to grumble, some to spew. + 'Hey day! call you that a cabin? + Why 'tis hardly three feet square; + Not enough to stow Queen Mab in-- + Who the deuce can harbour there?' + 'Who, sir? plenty-- + Nobles twenty-- + Did at once my vessel fill'-- + 'Did they? Jesus, + How you squeeze us! + Would to God they did so still: + Then I'd 'scape the heat and racket, + Of the good ship, Lisbon Packet.' + + Fletcher! Murray! Bob! where are you? + Stretch'd along the deck like logs-- + Bear a hand, you jolly tar you! + Here's a rope's end for the dogs. + Hobhouse muttering fearful curses, + As the hatchway down he rolls; + Now his breakfast, now his verses, + Vomits forth--and damns our souls. + 'Here's a stanza + On Braganza-- + Help!'--'A couplet?'--'No, a cup + Of warm water.'-- + 'What's the matter?' + 'Zounds! my liver's coming up; + I shall not survive the racket + Of this brutal Lisbon Packet.' + + Now at length we're off for Turkey, + Lord knows when we shall come back! + Breezes foul and tempests murky + May unship us in a crack. + But, since life at most a jest is, + As philosophers allow, + Still to laugh by far the best is, + Then laugh on--as I do now. + Laugh at all things, + Great and small things, + Sick or well, at sea or shore; + While we're quaffing, + Let's have laughing-- + Who the devil cares for more?-- + Some good wine! and who would lack it, + Ev'n on board the Lisbon Packet? + + "BYRON." + + + + + +126.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Lisbon, July 16, 1809. + + + Thus far have we pursued our route, and seen all sorts of marvellous + sights, palaces, convents, etc.;--which, being to be heard in my + friend Hobhouse's forthcoming Book of Travels, I shall not anticipate + by smuggling any account whatsoever to you in a private and + clandestine manner. I must just observe, that the village of Cintra in + Estremadura is the most beautiful, perhaps, in the world. + + I am very happy here, because I loves oranges, and talks bad Latin to + the monks, who understand it, as it is like their own,--and I goes + into society (with my pocket-pistols), and I swims in the Tagus all + across at once, and I rides on an ass or a mule, and swears + Portuguese, and have got a diarrhoea and bites from the mosquitoes. + But what of that? Comfort must not be expected by folks that go a + pleasuring. + + When the Portuguese are pertinacious, I say 'Carracho!'--the great + oath of the grandees, that very well supplies the place of + "Damme,"--and, when dissatisfied with my neighbour, I pronounce him + 'Ambra di merdo'. With these two phrases, and a third, 'Avra louro', + which signifieth "Get an ass," I am universally understood to be a + person of degree and a master of languages. How merrily we lives that + travellers be!--if we had food and raiment. But, in sober sadness, any + thing is better than England, and I am infinitely amused with my + pilgrimage as far as it has gone. + + To-morrow we start to ride post near 400 miles as far as Gibraltar, + where we embark for Melita and Byzantium. A letter to Malta will find + me, or to be forwarded, if I am absent. Pray embrace the Drury and + Dwyer, and all the Ephesians you encounter. I am writing with Butler's + donative pencil, which makes my bad hand worse. Excuse illegibility. + + Hodgson! send me the news, and the deaths and defeats and capital + crimes and the misfortunes of one's friends; and let us hear of + literary matters, and the controversies and the criticisms. All this + will be pleasant--'Suave mari magno', etc. Talking of that, I have + been sea-sick, and sick of the sea. Adieu. + + Yours faithfully, etc. + + + + + +127.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Gibraltar, August 6, 1809. + + + I have just arrived at this place after a journey through Portugal, + and a part of Spain, of nearly 500 miles. We left Lisbon and travelled + on horseback to Seville and Cadiz, and thence in the 'Hyperion' + frigate to Gibraltar. The horses are excellent--we rode seventy miles + a day. Eggs and wine, and hard beds, are all the accommodation we + found, and, in such torrid weather, quite enough. My health is better + than in England. + + Seville is a fine town, and the Sierra Morena, part of which we + crossed, a very sufficient mountain; but damn description, it is + always disgusting. Cadiz, sweet Cadiz! [1]--it is the first spot in + the creation. The beauty of its streets and mansions is only excelled + by the loveliness of its inhabitants. For, with all national + prejudice, I must confess the women of Cadiz are as far superior to + the English women in beauty as the Spaniards are inferior to the + English in every quality that dignifies the name of man. Just as I + began to know the principal persons of the city, I was obliged to + sail. + + You will not expect a long letter after my riding so far "on hollow + pampered jades of Asia." Talking of Asia puts me in mind of Africa, + which is within five miles of my present residence. I am going over + before I go on to Constantinople. + + Cadiz is a complete Cythera. Many of the grandees who have left Madrid + during the troubles reside there, and I do believe it is the prettiest + and cleanest town in Europe. London is filthy in the comparison. The + Spanish women are all alike, their education the same. The wife of a + duke is, in information, as the wife of a peasant,--the wife of + peasant, in manner, equal to a duchess. Certainly they are + fascinating; but their minds have only one idea, and the business of + their lives is intrigue. + + I have seen Sir John Carr [2] at Seville and Cadiz, and, like Swift's + barber, have been down on my knees to beg he would not put me into + black and white [3]. Pray remember me [4] to the Drurys and the Davies, + and all of that stamp who are yet extant. Send me a letter and news to + Malta. My next epistle shall be from Mount Caucasus or Mount Sion. I + shall return to Spain before I see England, for I am enamoured of the + country. Adieu, and believe me, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: In 'Childe Harold' (Canto I., after stanza lxxxiv.), +instead of the song "To Inez," Byron originally wrote the song beginning + + "Oh never talk again to me + Of northern climes and British ladies, + It has not been your lot to see, + Like me, the lovely girl of Cadiz."] + + +[Footnote 2: Sir John Carr (1772-1832), a native of Devonshire, and a +barrister of the Middle Temple, was knighted by the Duke of Bedford as +Viceroy of Ireland about 1807. He published 'The Fury of Discord, a +Poem' (1803); 'The Sea-side Hero, a Drama in 3 Acts' (1804); and +'Poems'(1809). But he is best known by his travels, which gained him the +nickname of "Jaunting Carr," and considerable profit. 'The Stranger in +France' (1803) was bought by Johnson for £100. 'A Northern Summer, or +Travels round the Baltic, etc._(1805), 'The Stranger in Ireland' +(1806), and 'A Tour through Holland_(1807), were bought for £500, +£700, and £600 respectively by Sir Richard Phillips, who, but for the +ridicule cast upon Carr by Edward Dubois (in 'My Pocket Book; or Hints +for a Ryhte Merrie and Conceited Tour in Quarto, to be called "The +Stranger in Ireland in 1805," by a Knight Errant'), would have given +£600 for his 'Caledonian Sketches' (1808). In spite, however, of this +proof of damages, the jury found, in Carr's action against Messrs. Hood +and Sharpe, the publishers of 'My Pocket Book', that the criticism was +fair and justifiable (1808). Carr published, in 1811, his 'Descriptive +Travels in the Southern and Eastern Parts of Spain', without mentioning +Byron's name. Byron concluded his MS. of 'Childe Harold', Canto I. with +three stanzas on "Green Erin's Knight and Europe's Wandering Star" (see, +for the lines, 'Childe Harold', at the end of Canto I.). In letter vii. +of 'Intercepted Letters; or the Twopenny Post-bag', by Thomas Brown the +Younger (1813), occur the following lines:-- + + "Since the Chevalier C--rr took to marrying lately, + The Trade is in want of a 'Traveller' greatly-- + No job, Sir, more easy--your 'Country' once plann'd, + A month aboard ship and a fortnight on land + Puts your Quarto of Travels, Sir, clean out of hand."] + + +[Footnote 3: + + "Once stopping at an inn at Dundalk, the Dean was so much amused with + a prating barber, that rather than be alone he invited him to dinner. + The fellow was rejoiced at this unexpected honour, and being dressed + out in his best apparel came to the inn, first inquiring of the groom + what the clergyman's name was who had so kindly invited him. 'What the + vengeance!' said the servant,' don't you know Dean Swift?' At which + the barber turned pale, and, running into the house, fell upon his + knees and intreated the Dean 'not to put him into print; for that he + was a poor barber, had a large family to maintain, and if his + reverence put him into black and white he should lose all his + customers.' Swift laughed heartily at the poor fellow's simplicity, + bade him sit down and eat his dinner in peace, for he assured him he + would neither put him nor his wife in print." + +Sheridan's 'Life of Swift'.--(Moore).] + + +[Footnote 4: + + "This sort of passage," says the Rev. Francis Hodgson, in a note on + his copy of this letter, "constantly occurs in his correspondence. Nor + was his interest confined to mere remembrances and inquiries after + health. Were it possible to state 'all' he has done for numerous + friends, he would appear amiable indeed. For myself, I am bound to + acknowledge, in the fullest and warmest manner, his most generous and + well-timed aid; and, were my poor friend Bland alive, he would as + gladly bear the like testimony;--though I have most reason, of all + men, to do so." + +(Moore).] + + + + + +128.--To his Mother. + + + Gibraltar, August 11th, 1809. + + + Dear Mother,-I have been so much occupied since my departure from + England, that till I could address you at length I have forborne + writing altogether. As I have now passed through Portugal, and a + considerable part of Spain, and have leisure at this place, I shall + endeavour to give you a short detail of my movements. + + We sailed from Falmouth on the 2nd of July, reached Lisbon after a + very favourable passage of four days and a half, and took up our abode + in that city. It has been often described without being worthy of + description; for, except the view from the Tagus, which is beautiful, + and some fine churches and convents, it contains little but filthy + streets, and more filthy inhabitants. To make amends for this, the + village of Cintra, about fifteen miles from the capital, is, perhaps + in every respect, the most delightful in Europe; it contains beauties + of every description, natural and artificial. Palaces and gardens + rising in the midst of rocks, cataracts, and precipices; convents on + stupendous heights--a distant view of the sea and the Tagus; and, + besides (though that is a secondary consideration), is remarkable as + the scene of Sir Hew Dalrymple's Convention.[1] It unites in itself + all the wildness of the western highlands, with the verdure of the + south of France. Near this place, about ten miles to the right, is the + palace of Mafra, the boast of Portugal, as it might be of any other + country, in point of magnificence without elegance. There is a convent + annexed; the monks, who possess large revenues, are courteous enough, + and understand Latin, so that we had a long conversation: they have a + large library, and asked me if the _English_ had _any books_ in their + country? + + I sent my baggage, and part of the servants, by sea to Gibraltar, and + travelled on horseback from Aldea Galbega (the first stage from + Lisbon, which is only accessible by water) to Seville (one of the most + famous cities in Spain), where the Government called the Junta is now + held. The distance to Seville is nearly four hundred miles, and to + Cadiz almost ninety farther towards the coast. I had orders from the + governments, and every possible accommodation on the road, as an + English nobleman, in an English uniform, is a very respectable + personage in Spain at present. The horses are remarkably good, and the + roads (I assure you upon my honour, for you will hardly believe it) + very far superior to the best English roads, without the smallest toll + or turnpike. You will suppose this when I rode post to Seville, in + four days, through this parching country in the midst of summer, + without fatigue or annoyance. + + Seville is a beautiful town; though the streets are narrow, they are + clean. We lodged in the house of two Spanish unmarried ladies, who + possess _six_ houses in Seville, and gave me a curious specimen of + Spanish manners. They are women of character, and the eldest a fine + woman, the youngest pretty, but not so good a figure as Donna Josepha. + The freedom of manner, which is general here, astonished me not a + little; and in the course of further observation, I find that reserve + is not the characteristic of the Spanish belles, who are, in general, + very handsome, with large black eyes, and very fine forms. The eldest + honoured your _unworthy_ son with very particular attention, embracing + him with great tenderness at parting (I was there but three days), + after cutting off a lock of his hair, and presenting him with one of + her own, about three feet in length, which I send, and beg you will + retain till my return. Her last words were, _Adios, tu hermoso! me + gusto mucho_--"Adieu, you pretty fellow! you please me much." She + offered me a share of her apartment, which my _virtue_ induced me to + decline; she laughed, and said I had some English _amante_ (lover), + and added that she was going to be married to an officer in the + Spanish army. + + I left Seville, and rode on to Cadiz, through a beautiful country. At + _Xeres_, where the sherry we drink is made, I met a great merchant--a + Mr. Gordon of Scotland--who was extremely polite, and favoured me with + the inspection of his vaults and cellars, so that I quaffed at the + fountain head. + + Cadiz, sweet Cadiz, is the most delightful town I ever beheld, very + different from our English cities in every respect except cleanliness + (and it is as clean as London), but still beautiful, and full of the + finest women in Spain, the Cadiz belles being the Lancashire witches + of their land. Just as I was introduced and began to like the + grandees, I was forced to leave it for this cursed place; but before I + return to England I will visit it again. The night before I left it, I + sat in the box at the opera with Admiral Cordova's family; [2] he is + the commander whom Lord St. Vincent defeated in 1797, and has an aged + wife and a fine daughter, Sennorita Cordova. The girl is very pretty, + in the Spanish style; in my opinion, by no means inferior to the + English in charms, and certainly superior in fascination. Long black + hair, dark languishing eyes, _clear_ olive complexions, and forms more + graceful in motion than can be conceived by an Englishman used to the + drowsy, listless air of his countrywomen, added to the most becoming + dress, and, at the same time, the most decent in the world, render a + Spanish beauty irresistible. + + I beg leave to observe that intrigue here is the business of life; + when a woman marries she throws off all restraint, but I believe their + conduct is chaste enough before. If you make a proposal, which in + England will bring a box on the ear from the meekest of virgins, to a + Spanish girl, she thanks you for the honour you intend her, and + replies, "Wait till I am married, and I shall be too happy." This is + literally and strictly true. + + Miss Cordova and her little brother understood a little French, and, + after regretting my ignorance of the Spanish, she proposed to become + my preceptress in that language. I could only reply by a low bow, and + express my regret that I quitted Cadiz too soon to permit me to make + the progress which would doubtless attend my studies under so charming + a directress. I was standing at the back of the box, which resembles + our Opera boxes, (the theatre is large and finely decorated, the music + admirable,) in the manner which Englishmen generally adopt, for fear + of incommoding the ladies in front, when this fair Spaniard + dispossessed an old woman (an aunt or a duenna) of her chair, and + commanded me to be seated next herself, at a tolerable distance from + her mamma. At the close of the performance I withdrew, and was + lounging with a party of men in the passage, when, _en passant,_ the + lady turned round and called me, and I had the honour of attending her + to the admiral's mansion. I have an invitation on my return to Cadiz, + which I shall accept if I repass through the country on my return from + Asia. [3] + + I have met Sir John Carr, Knight Errant, at Seville and Cadiz. He is a + pleasant man. I like the Spaniards much. You have heard of the battle + near Madrid, [4] and in England they would call it a victory--a pretty + victory! Two hundred officers and five thousand men killed, all + English, and the French in as great force as ever. I should have + joined the army, but we have no time to lose before we get up the + Mediterranean and Archipelago. I am going over to Africa tomorrow; it + is only six miles from this fortress. My next stage is Cagliari in + Sardinia, where I shall be presented to His Majesty. I have a most + superb uniform as a court dress, indispensable in travelling. + + _August 13._--I have not yet been to Africa--the wind is contrary--but + I dined yesterday at Algesiras, with Lady Westmorland, [5] where I met + General Castanos, the celebrated Spanish leader in the late and + present war. To-day I dine with him. He has offered me letters to + Tetuan in Barbary, for the principal Moors, and I am to have the house + for a few days of one of the great men, which was intended for Lady + W., whose health will not permit her to cross the Straits. + + _August 15_.--I could not dine with Castanos [6] yesterday, but this + afternoon I had that honour. He is pleasant and, for aught I know to + the contrary, clever. I cannot go to Barbary. The Malta packet sails + to-morrow, and myself in it. Admiral Purvis, with whom I dined at + Cadiz, gave me a passage in a frigate to Gibraltar, but we have no + ship of war destined for Malta at present. The packets sail fast, and + have good accommodation. You shall hear from me on our route. + + Joe Murray delivers this; I have sent him and the boy back. Pray show + the lad kindness, as he is my great favourite; I would have taken him + on. And say this to his father, who may otherwise think he has behaved + ill. I hope this will find you well. Believe me, + + Yours ever sincerely, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--So Lord G----[7] is married to a rustic. Well done! If I wed, I + will bring home a Sultana, with half a dozen cities for a dowry, and + reconcile you to an Ottoman daughter-in-law, with a bushel of pearls + not larger than ostrich eggs, or smaller than walnuts. + + + +[Footnote 1: Sir Hew Whitefoord Dalrymple (1750-1830) took command of +the British forces in the Peninsular War, August 22, 1808, and signed +the Convention of Cintra (August 31), by which Junot, whom Sir Arthur +Wellesley had defeated at Vimeira, evacuated Portugal, and surrendered +Elvas and Lisbon. The Convention was approved by a court of general +officers ordered to sit at Chelsea Hospital; but Dalrymple never again +obtained a command. + +The so-called Convention of Cintra was signed at the palace of the +Marquis de Marialva, thirty miles distant.] + + +[Footnote 2: Admiral Cordova commanded the Spanish Fleet, defeated, +February 14, 1797, off Cape St. Vincent, by Sir John Jervis, afterwards +Earl St. Vincent.] + + +[Footnote 3: To these adventures in his hasty passage through Spain +Byron briefly alludes in the early part of his _Memoranda._ + + "For some time," he said, "I went on prosperously both as a linguist + and a lover, till at length the lady took a fancy to a ring which I + wore, and set her heart on my giving it to her, as a pledge of my + sincerity. This, however, could not be:--any thing but the ring, I + declared, was at her service, and much more than its value,--but the + ring itself I had made a vow never to give away." The young Spaniard + grew angry as the contention went on, and it was not long before the + lover became angry also; till, at length, the affair ended by their + separating. "Soon after this," said he, "I sailed for Malta, and there + parted with both my heart and ring." + +('Life', p.93). He also alludes to the incident in 'Don Juan', Canto II, +stanza clxiv.-- + + "'Tis pleasing to be school'd in a strange tongue + By female lips and eyes--that is, I mean, + When both the teacher and the taught are young, + As was the case, at least, where I have been," + +etc.] + + +[Footnote 4: The battle of Talavera, July 27 and 28, 1809, in which Sir +Arthur Wellesley defeated Marshal Victor. In Cuesta's despatch to the +Spanish Government, dated Seville, August 7, the British loss is +mentioned as 260 officers and 5000 men.] + + +[Footnote 5: Lady Westmorland, _nee_ Jane Saunders, daughter of Dr. R. +H. Saunders, married, in 1800, as his second wife, John, tenth Earl of +Westmorland (1759-1841). At her house Lady Caroline Lamb refused to be +introduced to Byron (_Life of Lord Melbourne,_ vol. i. p.103). + + +[Footnote 6: General Francisco de Castanos, Duke of Baylen (1758-1852) +defeated General Dupont at Baylen in 1808, and distinguished himself at +Vittoria in 1813. He was guardian to Queen Isabella in 1843.] + + +[Footnote 7: Lord Grey de Ruthyn. (See page 23 [Letter 8], [Foot]note 1.)] + + + + + +129.--To Mr. Rushton. + + + Gibraltar, August 15, 1809. + + Mr. Rushton,--I have sent Robert home with Mr. Murray, because the + country which I am about to travel through is in a state which renders + it unsafe, particularly for one so young. I allow you to deduct + five-and-twenty pounds a year for his education for three years, + provided I do not return before that time, and I desire he may be + considered as in my service. Let every care be taken of him, and let + him be sent to school. In case of my death I have provided enough in + my will to render him independent. He has behaved extremely well, and + has travelled a great deal for the time of his absence. Deduct the + expense of his education from your rent. + + BYRON. + + + + + +130.--To his Mother. + + + Malta, September 15, 1809. + + Dear Mother,--Though I have a very short time to spare, being to sail + immediately for Greece, I cannot avoid taking an opportunity of + telling you that I am well. I have been in Malta [1] a short time, and + have found the inhabitants hospitable and pleasant. + + This letter is committed to the charge of a very extraordinary woman, + whom you have doubtless heard of, Mrs. Spencer Smith, of whose escape + the Marquis de Salvo published a narrative a few years ago. [2] She + has since been shipwrecked, and her life has been from its + commencement so fertile in remarkable incidents, that in a romance + they would appear improbable. She was born at Constantinople, where + her father, Baron Herbert, was Austrian Ambassador; married unhappily, + yet has never been impeached in point of character; excited the + vengeance of Buonaparte by a part in some conspiracy; several times + risked her life; and is not yet twenty-five. She is here on her way to + England, to join her husband, being obliged to leave Trieste, where + she was paying a visit to her mother, by the approach of the French, + and embarks soon in a ship of war. Since my arrival here, I have had + scarcely any other companion. I have found her very pretty, very + accomplished, and extremely eccentric. Buonaparte is even now so + incensed against her, that her life would be in some danger if she + were taken prisoner a second time. + + You have seen Murray and Robert by this time, and received my letter. + Little has happened since that date. I have touched at Cagliari in + Sardinia, and at Girgenti in Sicily, and embark to-morrow for Patras, + from whence I proceed to Yanina, where Ali Pacha holds his court. So I + shall soon be among the Mussulmans. Adieu. Believe me, with sincerity, + yours ever, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: At Gibraltar, John Galt, who was travelling for his health, +met Byron, whom he did not know by sight, but by whose appearance he was +attracted. + + "His dress indicated a Londoner of some fashion, partly by its + neatness and simplicity, with just so much of a peculiarity of style + as served to show that, although he belonged to the order of + metropolitan beaux, he was not altogether a common one ... His + physiognomy was prepossessing and intelligent, but ever and anon his + brows lowered and gathered--a habit, as I then thought, with a degree + of affectation in it, probably first assumed for picturesque effect + and energetic expression, but which I afterwards discovered was + undoubtedly the scowl of some unpleasant reminiscence; it was + certainly disagreeable, forbidding, but still the general cast of his + features was impressed with elegance and character." + +Afterwards Galt was a fellow-passenger on board the packet from +Gibraltar to Malta. + + "In the little bustle and process of embarking their luggage, his + Lordship affected, as it seemed to me, more aristocracy than befitted + his years, or the occasion; and then I thought of his singular scowl, + and suspected him of pride and irascibility. The impression that + evening was not agreeable, but it was interesting; and that forehead + mark, the frown, was calculated to awaken curiosity, and beget + conjectures ... Byron held himself aloof, and sat on the rail, leaning + on the mizzen shrouds, inhaling, as it were, poetical sympathy from + the gloomy rock, then dark and stern in the twilight. There was, in + all about him that evening, much waywardness. He spoke petulantly to + Fletcher, his valet, and was evidently ill at ease with himself, and + fretful towards others. I thought he would turn out an unsatisfactory + shipmate; yet there was something redeeming in the tones of his voice, + and when, some time after having indulged his sullen meditation he + again addressed Fletcher; so that, instead of finding him ill-natured, + I was soon convinced he was only capricious." + +On the voyage, + + "about the third day, Byron relented from his rapt mood, as if he felt + it was out of place, and became playful, and disposed to contribute + his fair proportion to the general endeavour to while away the + tediousness of the dull voyage." + +But yet throughout the whole passage, + + "if," says Galt, "my remembrance is not treacherous, he only spent one + evening in the cabin with us--the evening before we came to anchor at + Cagliari; for, when the lights were placed, he made himself a man + forbid, took his station on the railing, between the pegs on which the + sheets are belayed and the shrouds, and there, for hours, sat in + silence, enamoured, it may be, of the moon. All these peculiarities, + with his caprices, and something inexplicable in the cast of his + metaphysics, while they served to awaken interest, contributed little + to conciliate esteem. He was often strangely rapt--it may have been + from his genius; and, had its grandeur and darkness been then + divulged, susceptible of explanation; but, at the time, it threw, as + it were, around him the sackcloth of penitence. Sitting amid the + shrouds and rattlings, in the tranquillity of the moonlight, churning + an inarticulate melody, he seemed almost apparitional, suggesting dim + reminiscences of him who shot the albatross" + +(Galt's 'Life of Byron', pp. 57-61).] + + +[Footnote 2: Byron's "new Calypso." Mrs. Spencer Smith (born about 1785) +was the daughter of Baron Herbert, Austrian Ambassador at +Constantinople, wife of Spencer Smith, the British Minister at +Stuttgart, and sister-in-law of Sir Sidney Smith, the hero of Acre. In +1805 she was staying, for her health, at the baths of Valdagno, near +Vicenza, when the Napoleonic wars overspread Northern Italy, and she +took refuge with her sister, the Countess Attems, at Venice. In 1806 +General Lauriston took over the government of the city in the name of +Napoleon, and M. de La Garde was appointed Prefect of the Police. A few +days after their arrival, on April 18, Mrs. Smith was arrested, and, +guarded by 'gendarmes', conveyed towards the Italian frontier, to be +confined, as La Garde told a Sicilian nobleman, the Marquis de Salvo, at +Valenciennes. Mrs. Smith's beauty and impending fate deeply impressed +the marquis, who determined to rescue her. The prisoner and her guard +had reached Brescia, and were lodged at the 'Albergo delle due Torre', +The opportunity seemed favourable. Once across the Guarda Lake, and in +the passes of Tyrol, it would be easy to reach Styria. The marquis made +his arrangements--hired two boats, one for the fugitives, the other for +their post-chaise and horses; procured for Mrs. Smith a boy's dress, as +a disguise; made a ladder long enough to reach her window in the inn, +and succeeded in making known his plan to the prisoner. The escape was +effected; but all along the road the danger continued, for their way lay +through a country which was practically French territory. It was not +till they reached Gratz, and Mrs. Smith was under the roof of her +sister, the Countess Strassoldo, that she was safe. The story is told in +detail by the Marquis de Salvo, in his 'Travels in the Year 1806 from +Italy to England' (1807), and by the Duchesse d'Abrantes ('Memoires,' +vol. xv. pp. 1-74). + +To Mrs. Spencer Smith are addressed the "Lines to Florence," the +"Stanzas composed during a Thunderstorm" (near Zitza, in October, 1809), +and stanzas xxx.-xxxii. of the second canto of 'Childe Harold.' The +Duchesse d'Abrantés ('Mémoires', vol. xv. pp. 4, 5) thus describes her: + + "Une jeune femme, dont la délicate et elégante tournure, la peau + blanche et diaphane, les cheveux blonds, les mouvemens onduleux, toute + une tournure impossible à décrire autrement qu'en disant qu'elle était + de toutes les créatures la plus gracieuse, lui donnaient l'aspect + d'une de ces apparitions amenées par un rêve heureux... il y avail de + la Sylphide en elle. Sa vue excessivement basse n'etait qu'un charme + de plus." + +Moore ('Life,' p. 95) thinks that Byron was less in love with Mrs. +Smith than with his recollection of her. According to Gait ('Life of +Byron,' p. 66), + + "he affected a passion for her, but it was only Platonic. She, + however, beguiled him of his valuable yellow diamond ring."] + + + + + +131.--To his Mother. + + + Prevesa, November 12, 1809. + + + My Dear Mother,--I have now been some time in Turkey: this place is on + the coast, but I have traversed the interior of the province of + Albania on a visit to the Pacha. I left Malta in the _Spider,_ a brig + of war, on the 21st of September, and arrived in eight days at + Prevesa. I thence have been about 150 miles, as far as Tepaleen, his + Highness's country palace, where I stayed three days. The name of the + Pacha is _Ali_ [1] and he is considered a man of the first abilities: + he governs the whole of Albania (the ancient Illyricum), Epirus, and + part of Macedonia. His son, Vely Pacha, [2] to whom he has given me + letters, governs the Morea, and has great influence in Egypt; in + short, he is one of the most powerful men in the Ottoman empire. When + I reached Yanina, the capital, after a journey of three days over the + mountains, through a country of the most picturesque beauty, I found + that Ali Pacha was with his army in Illyricum, besieging Ibrahim Pacha + in the castle of Berat. He had heard that an Englishman of rank was in + his dominions, and had left orders in Yanina with the commandant to + provide a house, and supply me with every kind of necessary _gratis_; + and, though I have been allowed to make presents to the slaves, etc., + I have not been permitted to pay for a single article of household + consumption. + + I rode out on the vizier's horses, and saw the palaces of himself and + grandsons: they are splendid, but too much ornamented with silk and + gold. I then went over the mountains through Zitza, [3] a village with + a Greek monastery (where I slept on my return), in the most beautiful + situation (always excepting Cintra, in Portugal) I ever beheld. In + nine days I reached Tepaleen. Our journey was much prolonged by the + torrents that had fallen from the mountains, and intersected the + roads. I shall never forget the singular scene on entering Tepaleen at + five in the afternoon, as the sun was going down. It brought to my + mind (with some change of _dress_, however) Scott's description of + Branksome Castle in his _Lay_, and the feudal system. [4] The + Albanians, in their dresses, (the most magnificent in the world, + consisting of a long _white kilt_, gold-worked cloak, crimson velvet + gold-laced jacket and waistcoat, silver-mounted pistols and daggers,) + the Tartars with their high caps, the Turks in their vast pelisses and + turbans, the soldiers and black slaves with the horses, the former in + groups in an immense large open gallery in front of the palace, the + latter placed in a kind of cloister below it, two hundred steeds ready + caparisoned to move in a moment, couriers entering or passing out with + the despatches, the kettle-drums beating, boys calling the hour from + the minaret of the mosque, altogether, with the singular appearance of + the building itself, formed a new and delightful spectacle to a + stranger. I was conducted to a very handsome apartment, and my health + inquired after by the vizier's secretary, 'à-la-mode Turque'! + + The next day I was introduced to Ali Pacha. I was dressed in a full + suit of staff uniform, with a very magnificent sabre, etc. The vizier + received me in a large room paved with marble; a fountain was playing + in the centre; the apartment was surrounded by scarlet ottomans. He + received me standing, a wonderful compliment from a Mussulman, and + made me sit down on his right hand. I have a Greek interpreter for + general use, but a physician of Ali's named Femlario, who understands + Latin, acted for me on this occasion. His first question was, why, at + so early an age, I left my country?--(the Turks have no idea of + travelling for amusement). He then said, the English minister, Captain + Leake, [5] had told him I was of a great family, and desired his + respects to my mother; which I now, in the name of Ali Pacha, present + to you. He said he was certain I was a man of birth, because I had + small ears, curling hair, and little white hands, and expressed + himself pleased with my appearance and garb. He told me to consider + him as a father whilst I was in Turkey, and said he looked on me as + his son. Indeed, he treated me like a child, sending me almonds and + sugared sherbet, fruit and sweetmeats, twenty times a day. He begged + me to visit him often, and at night, when he was at leisure. I then, + after coffee and pipes, retired for the first time. I saw him thrice + afterwards. It is singular that the Turks, who have no hereditary + dignities, and few great families, except the Sultans, pay so much + respect to birth; for I found my pedigree more regarded than my title. + + To-day I saw the remains of the town of Actium, [6] near which Antony + lost the world, in a small bay, where two frigates could hardly + manoeuvre: a broken wall is the sole remnant. On another part of the + gulf stand the ruins of Nicopolis, built by Augustus in honour of his + victory. Last night I was at a Greek marriage; but this and a thousand + things more I have neither time nor _space_ to describe. + + His highness is sixty years old, very fat, and not tall, but with a + fine face, light blue eyes, and a white beard; his manner is very + kind, and at the same time he possesses that dignity which I find + universal amongst the Turks. He has the appearance of anything but his + real character, for he is a remorseless tyrant, guilty of the most + horrible cruelties, very brave, and so good a general that they call + him the Mahometan Buonaparte. Napoleon has twice offered to make him + King of Epirus, but he prefers the English interest, and abhors the + French, as he himself told me. He is of so much consequence, that he + is much courted by both, the Albanians being the most warlike subjects + of the Sultan, though Ali is only nominally dependent on the Porte; he + has been a mighty warrior, but is as barbarous as he is successful, + roasting rebels, etc., etc. Buonaparte sent him a snuff-box with his + picture. He said the snuff-box was very well, but the picture he could + excuse, as he neither liked it nor the original. His ideas of judging + of a man's birth from ears, hands, etc., were curious enough. To me he + was, indeed, a father, giving me letters, guards, and every possible + accommodation. Our next conversations were of war and travelling, + politics and England. He called my Albanian soldier, who attends me, + and told him to protect me at all hazard; his name is Viseillie, and, + like all the Albanians, he is brave, rigidly honest, and faithful; but + they are cruel, though not treacherous, and have several vices but no + meannesses. They are, perhaps, the most beautiful race, in point of + countenance, in the world; their women are sometimes handsome also, + but they are treated like slaves, _beaten_, and, in short, complete + beasts of burden; they plough, dig, and sow. I found them carrying + wood, and actually repairing the highways. The men are all soldiers, + and war and the chase their sole occupations. The women are the + labourers, which after all is no great hardship in so delightful a + climate. Yesterday, the 11th of November, I bathed in the sea; to-day + is so hot that I am writing in a shady room of the English consul's, + with three doors wide open, no fire, or even _fireplace_, in the + house, except for culinary purposes. + + I am going to-morrow, with a guard of fifty men, to Patras in the + Morea, and thence to Athens, where I shall winter. [7] Two days ago I + was nearly lost in a Turkish ship of war, owing to the ignorance of + the captain and crew, though the storm was not violent. Fletcher + yelled after his wife, the Greeks called on all the saints, the + Mussulmans on Alla; the captain burst into tears and ran below deck, + telling us to call on God; the sails were split, the main-yard + shivered, the wind blowing fresh, the night setting in, and all our + chance was to make Corfu, which is in possession of the French, or (as + Fletcher pathetically termed it) "a watery grave." I did what I could + to console Fletcher, but finding him incorrigible, wrapped myself up + in my Albanian capote (an immense cloak), and lay down on deck to wait + the worst. I have learnt to philosophise in my travels; and if I had + not, complaint was useless. Luckily the wind abated, and only drove us + on the coast of Suli, on the main land, where we landed, and + proceeded, by the help of the natives, to Prevesa again; but I shall + not trust Turkish sailors in future, though the Pacha had ordered one + of his own galliots to take me to Patras. I am therefore going as far + as Missolonghi by land, and there have only to cross a small gulf to + get to Patras. + + Fletcher's next epistle will be full of marvels. We were one night + lost for nine hours in the mountains in a thunder-storm, and since + nearly wrecked. In both cases Fletcher was sorely bewildered, from + apprehensions of famine and banditti in the first, and drowning in the + second instance. His eyes were a little hurt by the lightning, or + crying (I don't know which), but are now recovered. When you write, + address to me at Mr. Strané's, English consul, Patras, Morea. + + I could tell you I know not how many incidents that I think would + amuse you, but they crowd on my mind as much as they would swell my + paper, and I can neither arrange them in the one, nor put them down on + the other, except in the greatest confusion. I like the Albanians + much; they are not all Turks; some tribes are Christians. But their + religion makes little difference in their manner or conduct. They are + esteemed the best troops in the Turkish service. I lived on my route, + two days at once, and three days again, in a barrack at Salora, and + never found soldiers so tolerable, though I have been in the garrisons + of Gibraltar and Malta, and seen Spanish, French, Sicilian, and + British troops in abundance. I have had nothing stolen, and was always + welcome to their provision and milk. Not a week ago an Albanian chief, + (every village has its chief, who is called Primate,) after helping us + out of the Turkish galley in her distress, feeding us, and lodging my + suite, consisting of Fletcher, a Greek, two Athenians, a Greek priest, + and my companion, Mr. Hobhouse, refused any compensation but a written + paper stating that I was well received; and when I pressed him to + accept a few sequins, "No," he replied; "I wish you to love me, not to + pay me." These are his words. + + It is astonishing how far money goes in this country. While I was in + the capital I had nothing to pay by the vizier's order; but since, + though I have generally had sixteen horses, and generally six or seven + men, the expense has not been _half_ as much as staying only three + weeks in Malta, though Sir A. Ball, [8] the governor, gave me a house + for nothing, and I had only _one servant_. By the by, I expect Hanson + to remit regularly; for I am not about to stay in this province for + ever. Let him write to me at Mr. Strané's, English consul, Patras. The + fact is, the fertility of the plains is wonderful, and specie is + scarce, which makes this remarkable cheapness. I am going to Athens, + to study modern Greek, which differs much from the ancient, though + radically similar. I have no desire to return to England, nor shall I, + unless compelled by absolute want, and Hanson's neglect; but I shall + not enter into Asia for a year or two, as I have much to see in + Greece, and I may perhaps cross into Africa, at least the Egyptian + part. Fletcher, like all Englishmen, is very much dissatisfied, though + a little reconciled to the Turks by a present of eighty piastres from + the vizier, which, if you consider every thing, and the value of + specie here, is nearly worth ten guineas English. He has suffered + nothing but from cold, heat, and vermin, which those who lie in + cottages and cross mountains in a cold country must undergo, and of + which I have equally partaken with himself; but he is not valiant, and + is afraid of robbers and tempests. I have no one to be remembered to + in England, and wish to hear nothing from it, but that you are well, + and a letter or two on business from Hanson, whom you may tell to + write. I will write when I can, and beg you to believe me, + + Your affectionate son, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--I have some very "magnifiques" Albanian dresses, the only + expensive articles in this country. They cost fifty guineas each, and + have so much gold, they would cost in England two hundred. I have been + introduced to Hussein Bey, [9] and Mahmout Pacha, [9] both little + boys, grandchildren of Ali, at Yanina; they are totally unlike our + lads, have painted complexions like rouged dowagers, large black eyes, + and features perfectly regular. They are the prettiest little animals + I ever saw, and are broken into the court ceremonies already. The + Turkish salute is a slight inclination of the head, with the hand on + the heart; intimates always kiss. Mahmout is ten years old, and hopes + to see me again; we are friends without understanding each other, like + many other folks, though from a different cause. He has given me a + letter to his father in the Morea, to whom I have also letters from + Ali Pacha. + + + +[Footnote 1: Ali Pasha (1741-1822) was born in Albania, at Tepeleni, a +town 75 miles north of Janina, of which his father was governor. This +"Mahometan Buonaparte," or "Rob Roy of Albania," made himself the +supreme ruler of Epirus and Albania, acquired a predominance over the +Agas of Thessaly, and pushed his troops to the frontiers of ancient +Attica (see Raumer's 'Historisches Taschenbuch,' pp. 87-175). A +merciless and unscrupulous tyrant, he was also a fine soldier and a born +administrator. Intriguing now with the Porte, now with Buonaparte, now +with the English, using the rival despots of the country against each +other, hand in glove with the brigands while commanding the police for +their suppression, he extended his power by using conflicting interests +to aggrandize himself. The Venetian possessions on the eastern shores of +the Adriatic, which had passed in 1797 to France, by the treaty of Campo +Formio, were wrested from the French by Ali, who defeated General La +Salsette (1798) in the plains of Nicopolis, and, with the exception of +Parga, seized and held the principal towns in the name of the Sultan. +Byron speaks of his "aged venerable face" in 'Childe Harold' (Canto II. +stanza lxii.; see also stanza xlvii.), and of the delicacy of his hand +in 'Don Juan' (Canto IV. stanza xlv.), and finds in his treatment of +"Giaffir, Pacha of Argyro Castro or Scutari (I am not sure which)," the +material for stanzas xiv., xv. of Canto II. of 'The Bride of Abydos'. +Hobhouse ('Journey through Albania', edit. 1854, vol. i. pp. 96, 97) +describes Ali as + + "a short man, about five feet five inches in height, and very fat, + though not particularly corpulent. He had a very pleasing face, fair + and round, with blue quick eyes, not at all settled into a Turkish + gravity. His beard was long and white, and such a one as any other + Turk would have been proud of; though he, who was more taken up with + his guests than himself, did not continue looking at it, nor smelling + and stroking it, as is usually the custom of his country-men, to fill + up the pauses of conversation." + +Dr. (afterwards Sir Henry) Holland, in his 'Travels in the Ionian Isles, +Albania, Thessaly, and Greece in 1812-13', pp. 125, 126 (1815), gives an +account of his first interview with Ali: + + "Were I to attempt a description of Ali, I should speak of his face as + large and full; the forehead remarkably broad and open, and traced by + many deep furrows; the eye penetrating, yet not expressive of + ferocity; the nose handsome and well formed; the mouth and lower part + of the face concealed, except when speaking, by his mustachios and the + long beard which flows over his breast. His complexion is somewhat + lighter than that usual among the Turks, and his general appearance + does not indicate more than his actual age ... The neck is short and + thick, the figure corpulent and unwieldy; his stature I had afterwards + the means of ascertaining to be about five feet nine inches. The + general character and expression of the countenance are unquestionably + fine, and the forehead especially is a striking and majestic feature. + Much of the talent of the man may be inferred from his exterior; the + moral qualities, however, may not equally be determined in this way; + and to the casual observation of the stranger I can conceive from my + own experience, that nothing may appear but what is open, placid, and + alluring. Opportunities were afterwards afforded me of looking beneath + this exterior of expression; it is the fire of a stove burning + fiercely under a smooth and polished surface.... The inquiries he made + respecting our journey to Joannina, gave us the opportunity of + complimenting him on the excellent police of his dominions, and the + attention he has paid to his roads. I mentioned to him generally Lord + Byron's poetical description of Albania, the interest it had excited + in England, and Mr. Hobhouse's intended publication of his travels in + the same country. He seemed pleased with these circumstances, and + stated his recollection of Lord Byron." + +Dr. Holland brought back to England a letter to Byron from Ali (see +Letter to Moore, September 8, 1813). + +A further account of Ali, together with a portrait, will be found in +Hughes's 'Travels in Sicily, etc.' (pp. 446-449). He again (1813) "asked +with much apparent interest respecting Lord Byron." At the close of the +Napoleonic struggle, the interest of this country was excited by the +resistance of Parga to his arms, especially as, during the late war, the +Pargiotes had received the protection of Great Britain. After the fall +of Parga (1819), Ali's power roused the jealousy of the Sultan, and it +was partly in consequence of his open defiance of the Porte, that +insurrections broke out in Wallachia, and that Ypsilanti proclaimed +himself the liberator of Greece. The Turkish troops, under Kurchid +Pasha, gradually overpowered Ali, and, at the end of 1821, shut him up +in his citadel of Janina. In the following January he surrendered, and +was at first treated with respect. But on February 5, 1822, Ali was +informed that the Sultan demanded his head. His answer was to fire his +pistol at the messenger. In the fray that followed he was killed. +Another and better account (Walsh's 'Narrative of a Journey from +Constantinople to England', p. 62) says that he was stabbed in the back +as he was bowing to the departing messenger, who had solemnly assured +him of the Sultan's pardon and favour. His head was cut off, sent to +Constantinople, and fixed on the grand gate of the Seraglio, with the +sentence of death by its side. Recently fresh interest has been aroused +in Ali by the publication of Mr. Bain's translation of Maurus Jókai's +semi-historical novel 'Janicsárok végnapjai', under the title of 'The +Lion of Janina' (1897).] + + +[Footnote 2: Veli Pasha was the son of Ali by a daughter of Coul Pasha, +the governor of Berat, in whose army Ali had served as a young man. He +was married (1798) to a daughter of Ibrahim Pasha, who had succeeded +Coul Pasha in the pashalik of Berat. The war with Ibrahim, to which +Byron alludes, ended in his defeat, and the transference of his pashalik +to Ali. Veli, at this time Vizier of the Morea, resided at Tripolizza, +when he was visited by Galt, who describes him as sitting + + "on a crimson velvet cushion, wrapped in a superb pelisse; on his head + was a vast turban, in his belt a dagger encrusted with jewels, and on + the little finger of his right hand he wore a solitaire which was said + to have cost two thousand five hundred pounds sterling. In his left + hand he held a string of small coral beads, a comboloio which he + twisted backwards and forwards during the greater part of the visit." + "In his manners," says Galt, "I found him free and urbane, with a + considerable tincture of humour and drollery" + +('Life of Byron', p. 83). Hobhouse ('Journey through Albania, etc.', +vol. i. p. 193) says, + + "The Vizier, for he is a Pasha of three tails, is a lively young man; + and besides the Albanian, Greek, and Turkish languages, speaks + Italian--an accomplishment not possessed, I should think, by any other + man of his high rank in Turkey. It is reported that he, as well as his + father, is preparing, in case of the overthrow of the Ottoman power, + to establish an independent sovereignty." + +Veli, in his father's struggle with the Sultan, betrayed Prevesa to the +Turks. He was executed in 1822, and is buried at the Silivria Gate of +Constantinople. + + +[Footnote 3: For "monastic Zitza," see 'Childe Harold', Canto II. stanza +xlviii., and Byron's note.] + + +[Footnote 4: See 'Lay of the Last Minstrel', canto i.] + + +[Footnote 5: William Martin Leake (1777-1860) received his commission as +second lieutenant in the artillery in 1794, became a captain in 1799, +major in 1809, and lieutenant-colonel in 1813. His professional life, up +to 1815, was spent abroad, chiefly at Constantinople, in Egypt, or in +various parts of European Turkey. In 1808 he had been sent by the +British Government with stores of artillery, ammunition, and Congreve +rockets, to Ali, Pasha of Albania, and he remained at Preveza, or +Janina, as the representative of Great Britain, till 1810. During his +travels he collected the vases, gems, bronzes, marbles, and coins now +placed in the British Museum, and in the Fitzwilliam Museum at +Cambridge. At the same time, he accumulated the materials which, during +his literary life (1815-59), he embodied in numerous books. Of these the +more important are--'The Topography of Athens' (1821); 'Journal of a +Tour in Asia Minor' (1824); 'An Historical Outline of the Greek +Revolution' (1825); 'Travels in the Morea' (1830); 'Travels in Northern +Greece' (1835); 'Numismata Hellenica' (1854-59). As a diplomatist he was +remarkably successful; but his reputation mainly rests on his +topographical works. With his antiquarian labours Byron would have had +little sympathy; but Leake was also a warm-hearted advocate of the +Christian population of Greece against their Turkish rulers.] + + +[Footnote 6: The battle of Actium (B.C. 31) was fought at the entrance +of the Gulf of Arta, and Nicopolis, the city of victory, the +'Palaio-Kastro' of the modern Greek, was founded by Augustus on an +isthmus connecting Prevesa with the mainland to commemorate his triumph. +Leake ('Travels in Northern Greece', vol. i. p. 175) identifies Actium +with Punda ([Greek (transliterated: aktae], "the head of a promontory") +on the headland opposite Prevesa (see 'Childe Harold', Canto II. stanza +xlv.).] + + +[Footnote 7: "Upon Parnassus going to the fountain of Delphi (Castri) in +1809," writes Byron, in his 'Diary' for 1821 ('Life', pp. 99, 100), + + "I saw a flight of twelve eagles (H. says they were vultures--at least + in conversation), and I seized the omen. On the day before I composed + the lines to Parnassus (in 'Childe Harold'), and, on beholding the + birds, had a hope that Apollo had accepted my homage. I have at least + had the name and fame of a poet during the poetical part of life (from + twenty to thirty);--whether it will 'last' is another matter." + +(For the lines to Parnassus, see 'Childe Harold', Canto I. stanzas +lx.-lxii.) To this journey belongs another incident, recorded by Byron. + + "The last bird I ever fired at was an eaglet, on the shore of + the Gulf of Lepanto, near Vostizza. It was only wounded, and I tried + to save it,--the eye was so bright. But it pined, and died in a few + days; and I never did since, and never will, attempt the death of + another bird."] + + +[Footnote 8: Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander John Ball (1757-1809), who +belonged to a Gloucestershire family, entered the navy, inspired by +'Robinson Crusoe'. A lieutenant in 1778, he distinguished himself with +Rodney in 1782 (post-captain, 1783; rear-admiral, 1805), and at the +battle of the Nile, when he commanded the 'Alexander'. Nelson had no +liking for Ball until the latter saved the dismasted 'Vanguard' from +going on shore by taking her in tow. Henceforward they were friends, and +Nelson spoke of him as one of his "three right arms." By his skill in +blockading Valetta (1798-1800), Ball was the hero of the siege of Malta, +and (June 6, 1801) was created a baronet for his services, and received +the Order of Merit from Ferdinand IV of Naples. When Byron met him, Ball +was "His Majesty's Civil Commissioner for the Island of Malta and its +Dependencies, and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Order of St. John." +S.T. Coleridge, who was with him as secretary from May, 1804, to +October, 1805, wrote enthusiastically of him in his letters, and in 'The +Friend' (3rd edit., vol. i. essay i., and vol. iii. pp. 226-301). But +his picture of the admiral would have been more definite had he +remembered the spirit of the remark (quoted in 'The Friend') which Ball +once made to him: + + "The distinction is just, and, now I understand you, abundantly + obvious; but hardly worth the trouble of your inventing a puzzle of + words to make it appear otherwise."] + + +[Footnote 9: Hussein Bey, then a boy of ten years old, son of Mouctar +Pasha, the eldest son of Ali, in after years (1820-22) remained faithful +to his grandfather, when his father, uncles, and cousin had gone over to +the Sultan, and held Tepeleni for Ali in his last struggle against the +Turks. Mahomet Pasha, son of Veli Pasha, second son of Ali, though only +twelve years old, was already in possession of a pashalik. In Ali's +contest with Turkey, he betrayed Parga to the Sultan, and persuaded his +father to surrender Prevesa. He was, however, rewarded for his treachery +by execution, and is among the five members of his family who lie buried +at the Silivria Gate at Constantinople (Walsh's 'Narrative', p. 67).] + + + + + +132.--To his Mother. + + Smyrna, March 19, 1810. + + DEAR MOTHER,--I cannot write you a long letter; but as I know you will + not be sorry to receive any intelligence of my movements, pray accept + what I can give. I have traversed the greatest part of Greece, besides + Epirus, etc., etc., resided ten weeks at Athens, and am now on the + Asiatic side on my way to Constantinople. I have just returned from + viewing the ruins of Ephesus, a day's journey from Smyrna. [1] I + presume you have received a long letter I wrote from Albania, with an + account of my reception by the Pacha of the Province. + + When I arrive at Constantinople, I shall determine whether to proceed + into Persia or return, which latter I do not wish, if I can avoid it. + But I have no intelligence from Mr. Hanson, and but one letter from + yourself. I shall stand in need of remittances whether I proceed or + return. I have written to him repeatedly, that he may not plead + ignorance of my situation for neglect. I can give you no account of + any thing, for I have not time or opportunity, the frigate sailing + immediately. Indeed the further I go the more my laziness increases, + and my aversion to letter-writing becomes more confirmed. I have + written to no one but to yourself and Mr. Hanson, and these are + communications of business and duty rather than of inclination. + + Fletcher is very much disgusted with his fatigues, though he has + undergone nothing that I have not shared. He is a poor creature; + indeed English servants are detestable travellers. I have, besides + him, two Albanian soldiers and a Greek interpreter; all excellent in + their way. Greece, particularly in the vicinity of Athens, is + delightful;--cloudless skies and lovely landscapes. But I must reserve + all account of my adventures till we meet. I keep no journal, but my + friend Hobhouse scribbles incessantly. Pray take care of Murray and + Robert, and tell the boy it is the most fortunate thing for him that + he did not accompany me to Turkey. Consider this as merely a notice of + my safety, and believe me, + + Yours, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: It was at Smyrna that the two first cantos of 'Childe +Harold' were completed. To his original MS. of the poem is prefixed the +following memorandum:-- + + "Byron, Ioannina in Albania. + Begun October 31st, 1809; + Concluded Canto 2d, Smyrna, + March 28th, 1810. + + --BYRON."] + + + + + + + +133.--To his Mother. + + Smyrna, April 9, 1810. + + Dear Mother,--I know you will be glad to hear from me: I wish I could + say I am equally delighted to write. However, there is no great loss + in my scribbles, except to the portmanteau-makers, who, I suppose, + will get all by and by. + + Nobody but yourself asks me about my creed,--what I am, am not, etc., + etc. If I were to begin _explaining_, God knows where I should leave + off; so we will say no more about that, if you please. + + I am no "good soul," and not an atheist, but an English gentleman, I + hope, who loves his mother, mankind, and his country. I have not time + to write more at present, and beg you to believe me, + + Ever yours, etc., + + BYRON. + + P.S.-Are the Miss----anxiously expecting my arrival and + contributions to their gossip and _rhymes_, which are about as bad as + they can be? + + B. + + + + + +134.--To his Mother. + + Smyrna, April 10, 1810. + + Dear Mother,--To-morrow, or this evening, I sail for Constantinople in + the 'Salsette' frigate, of thirty-six guns. She returns to England + with our ambassador, [1] whom she is going up on purpose to receive. I + have written to you short letters from Athens, Smyrna, and a long one + from Albania. I have not yet mustered courage for a second large + epistle, and you must not be angry, since I take all opportunities of + apprizing you of my safety; but even that is an effort, writing is so + irksome. + + I have been traversing Greece, and Epirus, Illyria, etc., etc., and + you see by my date, have got into Asia. I have made but one excursion + lately to the ruins of Ephesus. Malta is the rendez-vous of my + letters, so address to that island. Mr. Hanson has not written, though + I wished to hear of the Norfolk sale, [2] the Lancashire law-suit, + etc., etc., I am anxiously expecting fresh remittances. I believe you + will like Nottinghamshire, at least my share of it. [3] Pray accept my + good wishes in lieu of a long letter, and believe me, + + Yours sincerely and affectionately, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Robert (afterwards the Right Hon. Sir Robert) Adair +(1763-1855), son of Sergeant-Surgeon Adair and Lady Caroline Keppel, +described by an Austrian aristocrat as "le fils du plus grand 'Seigneur' +d'Angleterre," was educated at Westminster and the University of +Gottingen." At the latter place Adair, always, as his kinsman Lord +Albemarle said of him, "an enthusiastic admirer of the fair sex" +('Recollections', vol. i. p. 229), fell in love with his tutor's +daughter. He did not, however, marry "Sweet Matilda Pottingen," but +Angélique Gabrielle, daughter of the Marquis d'Hazincourt. He is +supposed to have contributed to the 'Rolliad'; and the "Dedication to +Sir Lloyd Kenyon," "Margaret Nicholson" ('Political Eclogues', p. 207), +and the "Song of Scrutina" ('Probationary Odes', p. 285), have been +attributed to him. He, however, denied (Moore's 'Journal and +Correspondence', vol. ii. p. 304) that he wrote any part of the +'Rolliad'. A Whig, and an intimate friend and follower of Fox, he was in +1791 at St. Petersburg, where the Tories believed that he had been sent +by his chief on "half a mission" to intrigue with Russia against Pitt. +The charge was published by Dr. Pretyman, Bishop of Winchester, in his +'Life of Pitt' (1821), who may have wished to pay off old scores, and to +retaliate on one of the reputed authors of the 'Rolliad' for the +"Pretymaniana," and was answered in 'Two Letters from Mr. Adair to the +Bishop of Winchester'. It is to this accusation that Ellis and Frere, in +the 'Anti-Jacobin', refer in "A Bit of an Ode to Mr. Fox" ('Poetry of +the Anti-Jacobin', edit. 1854, pp. 71-73):-- + + "I mount, I mount into the sky, + Sweet bird, to 'Petersburg' I'll fly, + Or, if you bid, to 'Paris'. + Fresh missions of the 'Fox' and 'Goose' + Successful 'Treaties' may produce, + Though Pitt in all miscarries." + +Sir James Mackintosh, speaking of the story, told Moore ('Journals and +Correspondence', vol. iv. p. 267) that a private letter from Adair, +reporting his conversations with a high official in St. Petersburg, fell +into the hands of the British Government; that some members of the +Council were desirous of taking proceedings upon it; but that Lord +Grenville and Pitt threatened to resign, if any use was made of such a +document so obtained. (See also the "Translation of a Letter from +Bawba-Dara-Adul-Phoola," etc.--'i.e.' "Bob Adair, a dull fool"--in the +'Anti-Jacobin', p. 208.) Adair was in 1806 sent by Fox as Ambassador to +Vienna, and in 1809 was appointed by Canning Ambassador Extraordinary at +Constantinople, where, with Stratford Canning as his secretary, he +negotiated the Treaty of the Dardanelles. For his services, on his +return in 1810, he was made a K.C.B. He was subsequently (1831-35) +employed on a mission to the Low Countries, when war appeared imminent +between William, Prince of Orange and King Leopold. He was afterwards +sworn a member of the Privy Council, and received a pension. George +Ticknor ('Life', vol. i. p. 269), who met him at Woburn in 1819, speaks +of his great conversational charms, and Moore ('Journals and +Correspondence', vol. vii. p. 216) describes him, in 1838, as a man +"from whom one gets, now and then, an agreeable whiff of the days of +Fox, Tickell, and Sheridan." Many years after Fox's death, Adair was at +a fête at Chiswick House. "'In which room,' he asked of Samuel Rogers, +'did Fox expire?' 'In this very room,' I replied. Immediately, Adair +burst into tears with a vehemence of grief such as I hardly ever saw +exhibited by a man" ('Recollections of the Table-Talk of Samuel Rogers', +p. 97).] + + +[Footnote 2: The sale of Wymondham and other property in Norfolk, which +had come to him through his great-uncle.] + +[Footnote 3: Probably an allusion to his mother leaving Burgage Manor +and taking up her residence at Newstead.] + + + + + +135.--To his Mother. + + _Salsette Frigate, off the Dardanelles_, April 17, 1810. + + Dear Madam,--I write at anchor (on our way to Constantinople) off the + Troad, which I traversed ten days ago. All the remains of Troy are the + tombs of her destroyers, amongst which I saw that of Antilochus from my + cabin window. These are large mounds of earth, like the barrows of the + Danes in your island. There are several monuments, about twelve miles + distant, of the Alexandrian Troas, which I also examined, but by no + means to be compared with the remnants of Athens and Ephesus. This will + be sent in a ship of war, bound with despatches for Malta. In a few days + we shall be at Constantinople, barring accidents. I have also written + from Smyrna, and shall, from time to time, transmit short accounts of my + movements, but I feel totally unequal to long letters. + + Believe me, yours very sincerely, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--No accounts from Hanson!!! Do not complain of short letters; I + write to nobody but yourself and Mr. H. + + + + + +136.--To Henry Drury. + + _Salsette_ frigate, May 3, 1810. + + My Dear Drury,--When I left England, nearly a year ago, you requested + me to write to you--I will do so. I have crossed Portugal, traversed + the south of Spain, visited Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, and thence passed + into Turkey, where I am still wandering. I first landed in Albania, + the ancient Epirus, where we penetrated as far as Mount Tomarit-- + excellently treated by the chief Ali Pacha,--and, after journeying + through Illyria, Chaonia, etc., crossed the Gulf of Actium, with a + guard of fifty Albanians, and passed the Achelous in our route through + Acarnania and Ætolia. We stopped a short time in the Morea, crossed + the Gulf of Lepanto, and landed at the foot of Parnassus;--saw all + that Delphi retains, and so on to Thebes and Athens, at which last we + remained ten weeks. + + His Majesty's ship, _Pylades_, brought us to Smyrna; but not before we + had topographised Attica, including, of course, Marathon and the + Sunian promontory. From Smyrna to the Troad (which we visited when at + anchor, for a fortnight, off the tomb of Antilochus) was our next + stage; and now we are in the Dardanelles, waiting for a wind to + proceed to Constantinople. + + This morning I _swam_ from _Sestos_ to _Abydos_. [1] The immediate + distance is not above a mile, but the current renders it + hazardous;--so much so that I doubt whether Leander's conjugal + affection must not have been a little chilled in his passage to + Paradise. I attempted it a week ago, and failed,--owing to the north + wind, and the wonderful rapidity of the tide,--though I have been from + my childhood a strong swimmer. But, this morning being calmer, I + succeeded, and crossed the "broad Hellespont" in an hour and ten + minutes. + + Well, my dear sir, I have left my home, and seen part of Africa and + Asia, and a tolerable portion of Europe. I have been with generals and + admirals, princes and pashas, governors and ungovernables,--but I have + not time or paper to expatiate. I wish to let you know that I live + with a friendly remembrance of you, and a hope to meet you again; and + if I do this as shortly as possible, attribute it to any thing but + forgetfulness. + + Greece, ancient and modern, you know too well to require description. + Albania, indeed, I have seen more of than any Englishman (except a Mr. + Leake), for it is a country rarely visited, from the savage character + of the natives, though abounding in more natural beauties than the + classical regions of Greece,--which, however, are still eminently + beautiful, particularly Delphi and Cape Colonna in Attica. Yet these + are nothing to parts of Illyria and Epirus, where places without a + name, and rivers not laid down in maps, may, one day, when more known, + be justly esteemed superior subjects, for the pencil and the pen, to + the dry ditch of the Ilissus and the bogs of Boeotia. + + The Troad is a fine field for conjecture and snipe-shooting, and a + good sportsman and an ingenious scholar may exercise their feet and + faculties to great advantage upon the spot;--or, if they prefer + riding, lose their way (as I did) in a cursed quagmire of the + Scamander, who wriggles about as if the Dardan virgins still offered + their wonted tribute. The only vestige of Troy, or her destroyers, are + the barrows supposed to contain the carcasses of Achilles, Antilochus, + Ajax, etc.;--but Mount Ida is still in high feather, though the + shepherds are now-a-days not much like Ganymede. But why should I say + more of these things? are they not written in the _Boke_ of _Gell_? + [2] and has not Hobhouse got a journal? I keep none, as I have + renounced scribbling. + + I see not much difference between ourselves and the Turks, save that + we have----and they have none--that they have long dresses, and we + short, and that we talk much, and they little. They are sensible + people. Ali Pacha told me he was sure I was a man of rank, because I + had _small ears_ and _hands_, and _curling hair_. By the by, I speak + the Romaic, or modern Greek, tolerably. It does not differ from the + ancient dialects so much as you would conceive; but the pronunciation + is diametrically opposite. Of verse, except in rhyme, they have no + idea. + + I like the Greeks, who are plausible rascals,--with all the Turkish + vices, without their courage. However, some are brave, and all are + beautiful, very much resembling the busts of Alcibiades;--the women + not quite so handsome. I can swear in Turkish; but, except one + horrible oath, and "pimp," and "bread," and "water," I have got no + great vocabulary in that language. They are extremely polite to + strangers of any rank, properly protected; and as I have two servants + and two soldiers, we get on with great éclat. We have been + occasionally in danger of thieves, and once of shipwreck,--but always + escaped. + + Of Spain I sent some account to our Hodgson, but have subsequently + written to no one, save notes to relations and lawyers, to keep them + out of my premises. I mean to give up all connection, on my return, + with many of my best friends--as I supposed them-and to snarl all my + life. But I hope to have one good-humoured laugh with you, and to + embrace Dwyer, and pledge Hodgson, before I commence cynicism. + + Tell Dr. Butler I am now writing with the gold pen he gave me before I + left England, which is the reason my scrawl is more unintelligible + than usual. I have been at Athens, and seen plenty of these reeds for + scribbling, some of which he refused to bestow upon me, because + topographic Gell had brought them from Attica. But I will not + describe,--no--you must be satisfied with simple detail till my + return, and then we will unfold the floodgates of colloquy. I am in a + thirty-six gun frigate, going up to fetch Bob Adair from + Constantinople, who will have the honour to carry this letter. + + And so Hobhouse's _boke_ is out, [3] with some sentimental sing-song + of my own to fill up,--and how does it take, eh? and where the devil + is the second edition of my Satire, with additions? and my name on the + title page? and more lines tagged to the end, with a new exordium and + what not, hot from my anvil before I cleared the Channel? The + Mediterranean and the Atlantic roll between me and criticism; and the + thunders of the Hyperborean Review are deafened by the roar of the + Hellespont. + + Remember me to Claridge, [4] if not translated to college, and present + to Hodgson assurances of my high consideration. Now, you will ask, + what shall I do next? and I answer, I do not know. I may return in a + few months, but I have intents and projects after visiting + Constantinople. Hobhouse, however, will probably be back in September. + + On the 2d of July we have left Albion one year--_oblitus meorum + obliviscendus et illis_. I was sick of my own country, and not much + prepossessed in favour of any other; but I "drag on my chain" without + "lengthening it at each remove." [5] I am like the Jolly Miller, + caring for nobody, and not cared for. [6] All countries are much the + same in my eyes. I smoke, and stare at mountains, and twirl my + mustachios very independently. I miss no comforts, and the musquitoes + that rack the morbid frame of H. have, luckily for me, little effect + on mine, because I live more temperately. + + I omitted Ephesus in my catalogue, which I visited during my sojourn + at Smyrna; but the Temple has almost perished, and St. Paul need not + trouble himself to epistolise the present brood of Ephesians, who have + converted a large church built entirely of marble into a mosque, and I + don't know that the edifice looks the worse for it. + + My paper is full, and my ink ebbing--good afternoon! If you address to + me at Malta, the letter will be forwarded wherever I may be. H. greets + you; he pines for his poetry,--at least, some tidings of it. I almost + forgot to tell you that I am dying for love of three Greek girls at + Athens, sisters. I lived in the same house. Teresa, Mariana, and + Katinka, [7] are the names of these divinities,--all of them under + fifteen. + + Your [Greek (transliterated): tapeinotatos doulos], BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Byron made two attempts to swim across the Hellespont from +Abydos to Sestos. The first, April 16, failed; the second, May 3, in +warmer weather, succeeded. + + "Byron was one hour and ten minutes in the water; his companion, Mr. + Ekenhead, five minutes less ... My fellow-traveller had before made a + more perilous, but less celebrated, passage; for I recollect that, + when we were in Portugal, he swam from Old Lisbon to Belem Castle, + and, having to contend with a tide and counter-current, the wind + blowing freshly, was but little less than two hours in crossing the + river" + +(Hobhouse, 'Travels in Albania', etc., vol. ii. p. 195). In Hobhouse's +journal, Byron made the following note: + + "The whole distance E. and myself swam was more than four miles--the + current very strong and cold--some large fish near us when half + across--we were not fatigued, but a little chilled--did it with little + difficulty.--May 26, 1810. BYRON." + +Of his feat Byron was always proud. See the "Lines Written after +Swimming from Sestos to Abydos" ("by the by, from Abydos to Sestos would +have been more correct"), and 'Don Juan', Canto II. stanza cv.:-- + + "A better swimmer you could scarce see ever; + He could, perhaps, have pass'd the Hellespont, + As once (a feat on which ourselves we prided) + Leander, Mr. Ekenhead, and I did." + +In a note to the "Lines Written after Swimming from Sestos to Abydos," +Byron writes, + + "Chevalier says that a young Jew swam the same distance for his + mistress; and Oliver mentions its having been done by a Neapolitan; + but our consul, Tarragona, remembered neither of these circumstances, + and tried to dissuade us from the attempt. A number of the + 'Salsette''s crew were known to have accomplished a greater distance; + and the only thing that surprised me was that, as doubts had been + entertained of the truth of Leander's story, no traveller had ever + endeavoured to ascertain its practicability." + +Lieutenant Ekenhead, of the Marines, was afterwards killed by a fall +from the fortifications of Malta.] + + +[Footnote 2: Sir William Gell (1777-1836) published the 'Topography of +Troy' (1804); 'Geography and Antiquities of Ithaca' (1807); the +'Itinerary of Greece' (1810); and many other subsequent works. (For +Byron's review of 'Ithaca' and 'Greece', in the 'Monthly Review' for +August, 1811, see Appendix III.) In the MS. of 'English Bards, and +Scotch Reviewers' (line 1034) he called him "coxcomb Gell;" but, having +made his personal acquaintance before the Satire was printed, he changed +the epithet to "classic." After seeing the country himself, he again +altered the epithet-- + + "Of Dardan tours let Dilettanti tell, + I leave topography to rapid Gell." + +To these lines is appended the following note: + + "'Rapid,' indeed! He topographised and typographised King Priam's + dominions in three days! I called him 'classic' before I saw the + Troad, but since have learned better than to tack to his name what + don't belong to it." + +To this passage Byron, in 1816, added the further expression of his +opinion, that "Gell's survey was hasty and superficial." One of two +suppressed stanzas in 'Childe Harold' (Canto II. stanza xiii.) refers to +Gell and his works:-- + + "Or will the gentle Dilettanti crew + Now delegate the task to digging Gell? + That mighty limner of a bird's-eye view, + How like to Nature let his volumes tell; + Who can with him the folio's limits swell + With all the Author saw, or said he saw? + Who can topographise or delve so well? + No boaster he, nor impudent and raw, + His pencil, pen, and shade, alike without a flaw."] + + +[Footnote 3: 'Imitations and Translations from the Ancient and Modern +Classics, etc.' (London, 1809, 8vo). Of the sixty-five pieces, nine were +by Byron (see 'Poems', vol. i., Bibliographical note; and vol. vi., +Bibliographical note). The second and enlarged edition of 'English +Bards, and Scotch Reviewers', with Byron's name attached, appeared in +October, 1809.] + + +[Footnote 4: Two boys of this name, sons of J. Claridge, of Sevenoaks, +entered Harrow School in April, 1805. George became a. solicitor, and +died at Sevenoaks in 1841; John (afterwards Sir John) went to Christ +Church, Oxford, became a barrister, and died in 1868. John Claridge +seems to have been one of Byron's "juniors and favourites," whom he +"spoilt by indulgence."] + + +[Footnote 5: + + "Still to my brother turns with ceaseless pain, + And drags at each remove a lengthening chain." + +GOLDSMITH'S Traveller, lines 9, 10.] + + +[Footnote 6: The allusion is to the familiar lines inserted by Isaac +Bickerstaffe in 'Love in a Village' (1762), act i. sc. 3-- + + "There was a jolly miller once, + Liv'd on the river Dee; + He work'd and sung from morn till night; + No lark more blithe than he. + + "And this the burden of his song, + For ever us'd to be-- + I care for nobody, not I, + If no one cares for me."] + + +[Footnote 7: + + "During our stay at Athens," writes Hobhouse ('Travels in Albania, + etc.', vol. i. pp. 242, 243), "we occupied two houses separated from + each other only by a single wall, through which we opened a doorway. + One of them belongs to a Greek lady, whose name is Theodora Macri, the + daughter of the late English Vice-Consul, and who has to show many + letters of recommendation left in her hands by several English + travellers. Her lodgings consisted of a sitting-room and two bedrooms, + opening into a court-yard where there were five or six lemon-trees, + from which, during our residence in the place, was plucked the fruit + that seasoned the pilaf and other national dishes served up at our + frugal table." + +The beauty of the Greek women is transient. Hughes ('Travels +in Sicily, etc.', vol. i. p. 254, published in 1820) speaks of the three +daughters of Madame Macri as "the 'belles' of Athens." Of Theresa, +the eldest, he says that "her countenance was extremely interesting, +and her eye retained much of its wonted brilliancy; but the roses +had already deserted the cheek, and we observed the remains only +of that loveliness which elicited such strains from an impassioned +poet." Walsh, in his 'Narrative of a Resident in Constantinople' +(vol. i. p. 122), speaks of Theresa Macri, the "Maid of Athens," +whom he saw in 1821, as "still very elegant in her person, and +gentle and ladylike in her manners," but adds that "she has +lost all pretensions to beauty, and has a countenance singularly +marked by hopeless sadness." On the other hand, Williams, in +his 'Travels in Italy, etc.' (vol. ii. pp. 290, 291), speaks, in 1820, +with an artist's enthusiasm, of the beauty of the three daughters of +Theodora Macri. He quotes from the "Visitors' Book," to which +Hobhouse alludes, four lines written by Byron in answer to an +anonymous versifier-- + + "This modest bard, like many a bard unknown, + Rhymes on our names, but wisely hides his own; + But yet, whoe'er he be, to say no worse, + His name would bring more credit than his verse." + +Theresa and Mariana Macri were dark; Katinka was fair. The latter name +Byron uses as that of the fair Georgian in 'Don Juan' (Canto VI. stanza +xli.). + + "It was," says Moore, "if I recollect right, in making love to one of + these girls that he had recourse to an act of courtship often + practised in that country;--namely, giving himself a wound across the + breast with his dagger. The young Athenian, by his own account, looked + on very coolly during the operation, considering it a fit tribute to + her beauty, but in no degree moved to gratitude." + +Theresa, sometimes called Thyrza, Macri married an Englishman named +Black, employed in H.M.'s Consular service at Missolonghi. She survived +her husband, and fell into great poverty. Finlay, the historian of +Greece, made an appeal on her behalf, which obtained the support of the +leading members of Athenian society, including M. Charilaus Tricoupi, +for some time Prime Minister at Athens, the son of Spiridion +Tricoupi--Byron's intimate friend. In the 'New York Times' for October +22, 1875, Mr. Anthony Martelaus, United States Consular Agent at Athens, +describes Mrs. Black, whom he visited in August, 1875, as "a tall old +lady, with features inspiring reverence, and showing that at a time past +she was a beautiful woman." Theresa Black died October 15, 1875, aged 80 +years. (See letters to the 'Times', October 25 and October 27, 1875, by +Richard Edgcumbe and Neocles Mussabini respectively.)] + + + + + +137.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + 'Salsette' frigate, in the Dardanelles, off Abydos, May 5, 1810. + + I am on my way to Constantinople, after a tour through Greece, Epirus, + etc., and part of Asia Minor, some particulars of which I have just + communicated to our friend and host, H. Drury. With these, then, I shall + not trouble you; but as you will perhaps be pleased to hear that I am + well, etc., I take the opportunity of our ambassador's return to forward + the few lines I have time to despatch. We have undergone some + inconveniences, and incurred partial perils, but no events worthy of + communication, unless you will deem it one that two days ago I swam from + Sestos to Abydos. This, with a few alarms from robbers, and some danger + of shipwreck in a Turkish galliot six months ago, a visit to a Pacha, a + passion for a married woman at Malta, [1] a challenge to an officer, an + attachment to three Greek girls at Athens, with a great deal of + buffoonery and fine prospects, form all that has distinguished my + progress since my departure from Spain. + + Hobhouse rhymes and journalises; I stare and do nothing--unless smoking + can be deemed an active amusement. The Turks take too much care of their + women to permit them to be scrutinised; but I have lived a good deal + with the Greeks, whose modern dialect I can converse in enough for my + purposes. With the Turks I have also some male acquaintances--female + society is out of the question. I have been very well treated by the + Pachas and Governors, and have no complaint to make of any kind. + Hobhouse will one day inform you of all our adventures--were I to + attempt the recital, neither _my_ paper nor _your_ patience would hold + out during the operation. + + Nobody, save yourself, has written to me since I left England; but + indeed I did not request it. I except my relations, who write quite as + often as I wish. Of Hobhouse's volume I know nothing, except that it is + out; and of my second edition I do not even know _that_, and certainly + do not, at this distance, interest myself in the matter. I hope you and + Bland [2] roll down the stream of sale with rapidity. + + Of my return I cannot positively speak, but think it probable Hobhouse + will precede me in that respect. We have been very nearly one year + abroad. I should wish to gaze away another, at least, in these evergreen + climates; but I fear business, law business, the worst of employments, + will recall me previous to that period, if not very quickly. If so, you + shall have due notice. + + I hope you will find me an altered personage,--I do not mean in body, + but in manner, for I begin to find out that nothing but virtue will do + in this damned world. I am tolerably sick of vice, which I have tried in + its agreeable varieties, and mean, on my return, to cut all my dissolute + acquaintance, leave off wine and carnal company, and betake myself to + politics and decorum. I am very serious and cynical, and a good deal + disposed to moralise; but fortunately for you the coming homily is cut + off by default of pen and defection of paper. + + Good morrow! If you write, address to me at Malta, whence your letters + will be forwarded. You need not remember me to any body, but believe me, + + Yours with all faith, + + BYRON. + + Constantinople, May 15, 1810. + + P.S.--My dear H.,--The date of my postscript "will prate to you of my + whereabouts." We anchored between the Seven Towers and the Seraglio on + the 13th, and yesterday settled ashore. [3] The ambassador [4] is laid + up; but the secretary [5] does the honours of the palace, and we have a + general invitation to his palace. In a short time he has his leave of + audience, and we accompany him in our uniforms to the Sultan, etc., and + in a few days I am to visit the Captain Pacha with the commander of our + frigate. [6] I have seen enough of their Pashas already; but I wish to + have a view of the Sultan, the last of the Ottoman race. + + Of Constantinople you have Gibbon's description, very correct as far + as I have seen. The mosques I shall have a firman to visit. I shall + most probably ('Deo volente'), after a full inspection of Stamboul, + bend my course homewards; but this is uncertain. I have seen the most + interesting parts, particularly Albania, where few Franks have ever + been, and all the most celebrated ruins of Greece and Ionia. + + Of England I know nothing, hear nothing, and can find no person better + informed on the subject than myself. I this moment drink your health in + a bumper of hock; Hobhouse fills and empties to the same; do you and + Drury pledge us in a pint of any liquid you please--vinegar will bear + the nearest resemblance to that which I have just swallowed to your + name; but when we meet again the draught shall be mended and the wine + also. + + Yours ever, + + B. + + + +[Footnote 1: Mrs. Spencer Smith (see page 244 [Letter 130], [Foot]note 1 +[2]). + + "In the mean time," writes Galt, who was at Malta with him, "besides + his "Platonic dalliance with Mrs. Spencer Smith, Byron had involved + himself in a quarrel with an officer; but it was satisfactorily + settled" + + ('Life of Byron', p. 67).] + + +[Footnote 2: The Rev. Robert Bland (1780-1825), the son of a well-known +London doctor, educated at Harrow and Pembroke College, Cambridge, was +an assistant-master at Harrow when Byron was a schoolboy. There he +became one of a "social club or circle," to which belonged J. Herman +Merivale, Hodgson, Henry Drury, Denman (afterwards Lord Chief Justice), +Charles Pepys (afterwards Lord Chancellor), Launcelot Shadwell +(afterwards Vice-Chancellor), Walford (afterwards Solicitor to the +Customs), and Paley, a son of the archdeacon. A good singer, an amusing +companion, and a clever, impulsive, eccentric creature, he was nicknamed +by his friends "Don Hyperbolo" for his humorous extravagances. Some of +his letters, together with a sketch of his life, are given in the 'Life +of the Rev. Francis Hodgson', vol. i. pp. 226-250. In the 'Monthly +Magazine' for March, 1805, he and Merivale began to publish a series of +translations from the Greek minor poets and epigrammatists, which were +afterwards collected, with additions by Denman, Hodgson, Drury, and +others, and published (1806) under the title of 'Translations, chiefly +from the Greek Anthology, with Tales and Miscellaneous Poems'. Bland and +Merivale (1779-1844) are addressed by Byron ('English Bards, and Scotch +Reviewers', lines 881-890) as "associate bards," and adjured to "resign +Achaia's lyre, and strike your own." The two friends also collaborated +in the 'Collections from the Greek Anthology' (1813), and 'A Collection +of the most Beautiful Poems of the Minor Poets of Greece' (1813). Bland +also published two volumes of original verse: 'Edwy and Elgiva' (1808), +and 'The Four Slaves of Cythera, a Poetical Romance' (1809). Several +generations of schoolboys have learned to write Latin verse from his +'Elements of Latin Hexameters and Pentameters'. A lover of France, and +of the French nation and of French acting, he spoke the language like a +native, travelled in disguise over the countries occupied by Napoleon's +armies, and (1813) published, in collaboration with Miss Plumptre, a +translation of the 'Memoirs' of Baron Grimm and Diderot. He was +appointed Chaplain at Amsterdam, whence he returned in 1811. (For the +circumstances of his quarrel with Hodgson, see page 195 [Letter 102], +[Foot]note 1.) He was successively Curate of Prittlewell and Kenilworth. +At the latter place, where he eked out a scanty income by taking pupils, +he died in 1825 from breaking a blood-vessel.] + + +[Footnote 3: Byron and Hobhouse landed on May 14, and rode to their inn. + + "This," says Hobhouse ('Travels in Albania, etc.', vol. ii pp. 216, + 217), "was situated at the corner of the main street of Pera, here + four ways meet, all of which were not less mean and dirty than the + lanes of Wapping. The hotel, however (kept by a Mons. Marchand), was a + very comfortable mansion, containing many chambers handsomely + furnished, and a large billiard-room, which is the resort of all the + idle young men of the place. Our dinners there were better served, and + composed of meats more to the English taste, than we had seen at any + tavern since our departure from Falmouth; and the butter of Belgrade + (perfectly fresh, though not of a proper consistency) was a delicacy + to which we had long been unaccustomed. The best London porter, and + nearly every species of wine, except port, were also to be procured in + any quantity. To this eulogy cannot be added the material + recommendation of cheapness."] + + +[Footnote 4: Robert Adair. (See page 260 [Letter 134], [Foot]note 1.)] + + +[Footnote 5: Stratford Canning, afterwards Lord Stratford de Redcliffe.] + + +[Footnote 6: Captain Bathurst, and the officers of the 'Salsette', +anxious to see the arsenal and the Turkish fleet, paid a visit with +Byron to Ali, the Capudan-Pasha, or Lord High Admiral. + + "He was," writes Hobhouse ('Travels in Albania, etc.', vol. ii. p. + 279), "in his kiosk of audience at Divan-Hane, a splendid chamber, + surrounded by his attendants, and, contrary to custom, received us + sitting. He is reported to be a ferocious character, and certainly had + the appearance of being so."] + + + + + +138.--To his Mother. + + Constantinople, May 18, 1810. + + Dear Madam,--I arrived here in an English frigate from Smyrna a few + days ago, without any events worth mentioning, except landing to view + the plains of Troy, and afterwards, when we were at anchor in the + Dardanelles, _swimming_ from Sestos to Abydos, in imitation of + Monsieur Leander, whose story you, no doubt, know too well for me to + add anything on the subject except that I crossed the Hellespont + without so good a motive for the undertaking. As I am just going to + visit the Captain-Pacha, you will excuse the brevity of my letter. + When Mr. Adair takes leave I am to see the Sultan and the mosques, + etc. + + Believe me, yours ever, + + BYRON. + + + + + +139.--To his Mother. + + Constantinople, May 24, 1810. + + Dear Mother,--I wrote to you very shortly the other day on my arrival + here, and, as another opportunity avails, take up my pen again, that + the frequency of my letters may atone for their brevity. Pray did you + ever receive a picture of me in oil by _Sanders_ in _Vigo Lane_, + London? (a noted limner); if not, write for it immediately; it was + paid for, except the frame (if frame there be), before I left England. + I believe I mentioned to you in my last that my only notable exploit + lately has been swimming from Sestos to Abydos in humble imitation of + _Leander_, of amorous memory; though I had no _Hero_ to receive me on + the other shore of the Hellespont. + + Of Constantinople you have of course read fifty descriptions by sundry + travellers, which are in general so correct that I have nothing to add + on the subject. When our ambassador takes his leave I shall accompany + him to see the Sultan, and afterwards probably return to Greece. I + have heard nothing of Mr. H----, but one remittance without any letter + from that legal gentleman. If you have occasion for any pecuniary + supply, pray use my funds as far as they _go_, without reserve; and + lest there should not be enough, in my next to Mr. H----I will direct + him to advance any sum you want, leaving at your discretion how much, + in the present state of my affairs, you may think proper to require. + + I have already seen the most interesting part of Turkey in Europe and + Asia Minor, but shall not proceed further till I hear from England. In + the mean time I shall expect occasional supplies, according to + circumstances, and shall pass my summer amongst my friends the Greeks + of the Morea. You will direct to Malta, where my letters are + forwarded. + + And believe me, with great sincerity, yours ever, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Fletcher is well. Pray take care of my boy Robert and the old + man Murray. It is fortunate they returned; neither the youth of the + one nor the age of the other would have suited the changes of climate + and fatigue of travelling. + + + + + +140.--To Henry Drury. + + + Constantinople, June 17, 1810. + + + Though I wrote to you so recently, I break in upon you again to + congratulate you on a child being born, [1] as a letter from Hodgson + apprizes me of that event, in which I rejoice. + + I am just come from an expedition through the Bosphorus to the Black + Sea and the Cyanean Symplegades, up which last I scrambled with as + great risk as ever the Argonauts escaped in their hoy. You remember + the beginning of the nurse's dole in the 'Medea', of which I beg you + to take the following translation, done on the summit:-- + + + "Oh how I wish that an embargo + Had kept in port the good ship Argo! + Who, still unlaunched from Grecian docks, + Had never passed the Azure rocks; + But now I fear her trip will be a + Damned business for my Miss Medea, etc., etc.," [2] + + as it very nearly was to me;--for, had not this sublime passage been + in my head, I should never have dreamed of ascending the said rocks, + and bruising my carcass in honour of the ancients. + + I have now sat on the Cyaneans, swam from Sestos to Abydos (as I + trumpeted in my last), and, after passing through the Morea again, + shall set sail for Santa Maura, and toss myself from the Leucadian + promontory;--surviving which operation, I shall probably join you in + England. Hobhouse, who will deliver this, is bound straight for these + parts; and, as he is bursting with his travels, I shall not anticipate + his narratives, but merely beg you not to believe one word he says, + but reserve your ear for me, if you have any desire to be acquainted + with the truth. + + I am bound for Athens once more, and thence to the Morea; but my stay + depends so much on my caprice, that I can say nothing of its probable + duration. I have been out a year already, and may stay another; but I + am quicksilver, and say nothing positively. We are all very much + occupied doing nothing, at present. We have seen every thing but the + mosques, which we are to view with a firman on Tuesday next. But of + these and other sundries let H. relate, with this proviso, that + 'I' am to be referred to for authenticity; and I beg leave to + contradict all those things whereon he lays particular stress. But, if + he soars at any time into wit, I give you leave to applaud, because + that is necessarily stolen from his fellow-pilgrim. Tell Davies [3] + that Hobhouse has made excellent use of his best jokes in many of his + Majesty's ships of war; but add, also, that I always took care to + restore them to the right owner; in consequence of which he (Davies) + is no less famous by water than by land, and reigns unrivalled in the + cabin as in the "Cocoa Tree." [4] + + And Hodgson has been publishing more poesy--I wish he would send me + his 'Sir Edgar', [5] and Bland's 'Anthology', to Malta, + where they will be forwarded. In my last, which I hope you received, I + gave an outline of the ground we have covered. If you have not been + overtaken by this despatch, Hobhouse's tongue is at your service. + Remember me to Dwyer, who owes me eleven guineas. Tell him to put them + in my banker's hands at Gibraltar or Constantinople. I believe he paid + them once, but that goes for nothing, as it was an annuity. + + I wish you would write. I have heard from Hodgson frequently. Malta is + my post-office. I mean to be with you by next Montem. You remember the + last,--I hope for such another; but after having swam across the + "broad Hellespont," I disdain Datchett. [6] Good afternoon! + + I am yours, very sincerely, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: Henry Drury, afterwards Archdeacon of Wilts.] + + +[Footnote 2: Euripides, 'Medea', lines 1-7-- + +[Greek (transliterated)]: + + Eith _ophel Argous mae diaptasthai skaphos + Kolch_on es aian kuaneas Symplaegadas, + maed en napaisi Paeliou pedein pote + tmaetheisa peukae, maed eretm_osai cheras + andr_on ariste_on, oi to pagchryson deros + Pelia metaelthon ou gar an despoin emae + Maedeia pyrgous gaes epleus I_olkias k.t.l.]] + + +[Footnote 3: For Scrope Berdmore Davies, see page 165 [Letter 86], +[Foot]note 2.] + + +[Footnote 4: "The Cocoa Tree," now 64, St. James's Street, formerly in +Pall Mall, was, in the reign of Queen Anne, the Tory Chocolate House. It +became a club about 1745, and was then regarded as the headquarters of +the Jacobites. Probably for this reason Gibbon, whose father professed +Jacobite opinions, belonged to it on coming to live in London (see his +journal for November, 1762, and his letter to his stepmother, January +18, 1766: "The Cocoa Tree serves now and then to take off an idle +hour"). Byron was a member.] + + +[Footnote 5: Hodgson's 'Sir Edgar' was published in 1810.] + + +[Footnote 6: Alluding to his having swum across the Thames with Henry +Drury, after the Montem, to see how many times they could make the +passage backwards and forwards without touching land. In this trial +Byron was the conqueror.] + + + + + +141.--To his Mother. + + Constantinople, June 28, 1810. + + My dear Mother,--I regret to perceive by your last letter that several + of mine have not arrived, particularly a very long one written in + November last from Albania, where I was on a visit to the Pacha of + that province. Fletcher has also written to his spouse perpetually. + + Mr. Hobhouse, who will forward or deliver this, and is on his return + to England, can inform you of our different movements, but I am very + uncertain as to my own return. He will probably be down in Notts, some + time or other; but Fletcher, whom I send back as an incumbrance + (English servants are sad travellers), will supply his place in the + interim, and describe our travels, which have been tolerably + extensive. + + I have written twice briefly from this capital, from Smyrna, from + Athens and other parts of Greece; from Albania, the Pacha of which + province desired his respects to my mother, and said he was sure I was + a man of high birth because I had small ears, curling hair, and white + hands!!! He was very kind to me, begged me to consider him as a + father, and gave me a guard of forty soldiers through the forests of + Acarnania. But of this and other circumstances I have written to you + at large, and yet hope you will receive my letters. + + I remember Mahmout Pacha, the grandson of Ali Pacha, at Yanina, (a + little fellow of ten years of age, with large black eyes, which our + ladies would purchase at any price, and those regular features which + distinguish the Turks,) asked me how I came to travel so young, + without anybody to take care of me. This question was put by the + little man with all the gravity of threescore. I cannot now write + copiously; I have only time to tell you that I have passed many a + fatiguing, but never a tedious moment; and all that I am afraid of is + that I shall contract a gypsy like wandering disposition, which will + make home tiresome to me: this, I am told, is very common with men in + the habit of peregrination, and, indeed, I feel it so. On the 3rd of + May I swam from _Sestos_ to _Abydos_. You know the story of Leander, + but I had no _Hero_ to receive me at landing. + + I also passed a fortnight on the Troad. The tombs of Achilles and + Æsyetes still exist in large barrows, similar to those you have + doubtless seen in the North. The other day I was at Belgrade (a + village in these environs), to see the house built on the same site as + Lady Mary Wortley's.[1] By-the-by, her ladyship, as far as I can + judge, has lied, but not half so much as any other woman would have + done in the same situation. + + I have been in all the principal mosques by the virtue of a firman: + this is a favor rarely permitted to Infidels, but the ambassador's + departure obtained it for us. I have been up the Bosphorus into the + Black Sea, round the walls of the city, and, indeed, I know more of it + by sight than I do of London. I hope to amuse you some winter's + evening with the details, but at present you must excuse me;--I am not + able to write long letters in June. I return to spend my summer in + Greece. I write often, but you must not be alarmed when you do not + receive my letters; consider we have no regular post farther than + Malta, where I beg you will in future send your letters, and not to + this city. + + Fletcher is a poor creature, and requires comforts that I can dispense + with. He is very sick of his travels, but you must not believe his + account of the country. He sighs for ale, and idleness, and a wife, + and the devil knows what besides. I have not been disappointed or + disgusted. I have lived with the highest and the lowest. I have been + for days in a Pacha's palace, and have passed many a night in a + cowhouse, and I find the people inoffensive and kind. I have also + passed some time with the principal Greeks in the Morea and Livadia, + and, though inferior to the Turks, they are better than the Spaniards, + who, in their turn, excel the Portuguese. Of Constantinople you will + find many descriptions in different travels; but Lady Mary Wortley + errs strangely when she says, "St. Paul's would cut a strange figure + by St. Sophia's." [2] I have been in both, surveyed them inside and + out attentively. St. Sophia's is undoubtedly the most interesting from + its immense antiquity, and the circumstance of all the Greek emperors, + from Justinian, having been crowned there, and several murdered at the + altar, besides the Turkish Sultans who attend it regularly. But it is + inferior in beauty and size to some of the mosques, particularly + "Soleyman," etc., and not to be mentioned in the same page with St. + Paul's (I speak like a _Cockney_). However, I prefer the Gothic + cathedral of Seville to St. Paul's, St. Sophia's, and any religious + building I have ever seen. + + The walls of the Seraglio are like the walls of Newstead gardens, only + higher, and much in the same _order_; but the ride by the walls of the + city, on the land side, is beautiful. Imagine four miles of immense + triple battlements, covered with ivy, surmounted with 218 towers, and, + on the other side of the road, Turkish burying-grounds (the loveliest + spots on earth), full of enormous cypresses. I have seen the ruins of + Athens, of Ephesus, and Delphi. I have traversed great part of Turkey, + and many other parts of Europe, and some of Asia; but I never beheld a + work of nature or art which yielded an impression like the prospect on + each side from the Seven Towers to the end of the Golden Horn. [3] + + Now for England. I am glad to hear of the progress of 'English Bards', + etc. Of course, you observed I have made great additions to the new + edition. Have you received my picture from Sanders, Vigo Lane, London? + It was finished and paid for long before I left England: pray, send + for it. You seem to be a mighty reader of magazines: where do you pick + up all this intelligence, quotations, etc., etc.? Though I was happy + to obtain my seat without the assistance of Lord Carlisle, I had no + measures to keep with a man who declined interfering as my relation on + that occasion, and I have done with him, though I regret distressing + Mrs. Leigh, [4] poor thing!--I hope she is happy. + + It is my opinion that Mr. B----ought to marry Miss R----. Our first + duty is not to do evil; but, alas! that is impossible: our next is to + repair it, if in our power. The girl is his equal: if she were his + inferior, a sum of money and provision for the child would be some, + though a poor, compensation: as it is, he should marry her. I will + have no gay deceivers on my estate, and I shall not allow my tenants a + privilege I do not permit myself--_that_ of debauching each other's + daughters. God knows, I have been guilty of many excesses; but, as I + have laid down a resolution to reform, and lately kept it, I expect + this Lothario to follow the example, and begin by restoring this girl + to society, or, by the beard of my father! he shall hear of it. Pray + take some notice of Robert, who will miss his master; poor boy, he was + very unwilling to return. I trust you are well and happy. It will be a + pleasure to hear from you. + + Believe me, yours very sincerely, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--How is Joe Murray? + + P.S.--I open my letter again to tell you that Fletcher having + petitioned to accompany me into the Morea, I have taken him with me, + contrary to the intention expressed in my letter. + + + +[Footnote 1: Alluding to his having swum across the Thames with Henry +Drury, after the Montem, to see how many times they could make the +passage backwards and forwards without touching land. In this trial +Byron was the conqueror.] + + +[Footnote 2: Lady Mary describes the village of Belgrade in a letter to +Pope, dated June 17, 1717 ('Letters', edit. 1893, vol. i. pp. 331-333). +But Walsh ('Narrative of a Residence in Constantinople', vol. ii. 108, +109), who visited Belgrade in 1821, says that no trace of her +description was then to be seen--no view of the Black Sea, no houses of +the wealthy Christians, no fountains, and no fruit-trees. "The very +tradition" of the house, which had disappeared before Dallaway visited +Belgrade in 1794, had perished.] + + +[Footnote 3: Lady Mary does not compare St. Paul's with St. Sophia's, +but with the mosque of the Valide, + + "the largest of all, built entirely of marble, the most prodigious, + and, I think, the most beautiful structure I ever saw, be it spoken to + the honour of our sex, for it was founded by the mother of Mahomet IV. + Between friends, "St. Paul's Church would make a pitiful figure near + it" + +('Letters', vol. i. p. 356). + + +[Footnote 4: + + "The European with the Asian shore + Sprinkled with palaces; the ocean stream + Here and there studded with a seventy-four; + Sophia's cupola with golden gleam; + The cypress groves; Olympus high and hoar; + The twelve isles, and the more than I could dream, + Far less describe, present the very view + Which charm'd the charming Mary Montagu." + +_Don Juan_, Canto V. stanza 3.] + + +[Footnote 5: For Mrs. Leigh, 'née' Augusta Byron, see page 18 [Letter +7], [Foot]note 1.] + + + + + +142.--To his Mother. + + Constantinople, July 1, 1810. + + My dear Mother,--I have no wish to forget those who have any claim + upon me, and shall be glad of the good wishes of R----when he can + express them in person, which it seems will be at some very indefinite + date. I shall perhaps essay a speech or _two_ in the House when I + return, but I am not ambitious of a parliamentary career, which is of + all things the most degrading and unthankful. If I could by my own + efforts inculcate the truth, that a man is not intended for a despot + or a machine, but as an individual of a community, and fit for the + society of kings, so long as he does not trespass on the laws or rebel + against just governments, I might attempt to found a new Utopia; but + as matters are at present, in course you will not expect me to + sacrifice my health or self to your or anyone's ambition. + + To quit this new idea for something you will understand better, how + are Miss R's, the W's, and Mr. R's blue bastards? for I suppose he + will not deny their _authorship_, which was, to say the least, + imprudent and immoral. Poor Miss----: if he does not marry, and marry + her speedily, he shall be no tenant of mine from the day that I set + foot on English shores. + + I am glad you have received my portrait from Sanders. It does not + _flatter_ me, I think, but the subject is a bad one, and I must even + do as Fletcher does over his Greek wines--make a face and hope for + better. What you told me of----is not _true_, which I regret for + your sake and your gossip-seeking neighbours, whom present with my + good wishes, and believe me, + + Yours, etc., + + BYRON. + + + + + +143.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Constantinople, July 4, 1810. + + + My Dear Hodgson,--Twice have I written--once in answer to your last, + and a former letter when I arrived here in May. That I may have + nothing to reproach myself with, I will write once more--a very + superfluous task, seeing that Hobhouse is bound for your parts full of + talk and wonderment. My first letter went by an ambassadorial express; + my second by the _Black John_ lugger; my third will be conveyed by + Cam, the miscellanist. + + I shall begin by telling you, having only told it you twice before, + that I swam from Sestos to Abydos. I do this that you may be impressed + with proper respect for me, the performer; for I plume myself on this + achievement more than I could possibly do on any kind of glory, + political, poetical, or rhetorical. Having told you this, I will tell + you nothing more, because it would be cruel to curtail Cam's + narrative, which, by-the-by, you must not believe till confirmed by + me, the eye-witness. I promise myself much pleasure from contradicting + the greatest part of it. He has been plaguily pleased by the + intelligence contained in your last to me respecting the reviews of + his hymns. I refreshed him with that paragraph immediately, together + with the tidings of my own third edition, which added to his + recreation. But then he has had a letter from a Lincoln's Inn Bencher, + full of praise of his harpings, and vituperation of the other + contributions to his _Missellingany_, which that sagacious person is + pleased to say must have been put in as FOILS (_horresco referens!_); + furthermore he adds that Cam "is a genuine pupil of Dryden," + concluding with a comparison rather to the disadvantage of Pope. + + I have written to Drury by Hobhouse; a letter is also from me on its + way to England intended for that matrimonial man. Before it is very + long, I hope we shall again be together; the moment I set out for + England you shall have intelligence, that we may meet as soon as + possible. Next week the frigate sails with Adair; I am for Greece, + Hobhouse for England. A year together on the 2nd July since we sailed + from Falmouth. I have known a hundred instances of men setting out in + couples, but not one of a similar return. Aberdeen's [1] party split; + several voyagers at present have done the same. I am confident that + twelve months of any given individual is perfect ipecacuanha. + + The Russians and Turks are at it, [2] and the Sultan in person is soon + to head the army. The Captain Pasha cuts off heads every day, and a + Frenchman's ears; the last is a serious affair. By-the-by I like the + Pashas in general. Ali Pasha called me his son, desired his + compliments to my mother, and said he was sure I was a man of birth, + because I had "small ears and curling hair." He is Pasha of Albania + six hundred miles off, where I was in October--a fine portly person. + His grandson Mahmout, a little fellow ten years old, with large black + eyes as big as pigeon's eggs, and all the gravity of sixty, asked me + what I did travelling so young without a _Lala_ (tutor)? + + Good night, dear H. I have crammed my paper, and crave your + indulgence. Write to me at Malta. I am, with all sincerity, + + Yours affectionately, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: George Hamilton Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860), +afterwards Prime Minister (1852-55), succeeded his grandfather as fourth +earl in 1801. Grandson of the purchaser of Mrs. Byron's old home of +Gight, and writer of an article in the 'Edinburgh Review' (July, 1805) +on Gell's 'Topography of Troy,' he has a place in 'English Bards, and +Scotch Reviewers' (lines 508, 509). He also appears as "sullen +Aberdeen," in a suppressed stanza of 'Childe Harold', Canto II., which +in the MS. follows stanza xiii., among those who + + "----pilfer all the Pilgrim loves to see, + All that yet consecrates the fading scene." + +After leaving Harrow, and before entering St. John's College, Cambridge, +he spent two years (1801-3) in Greece. On his return he founded the +Athenian Society, and became President of the Society of Antiquaries +from 1812 to 1846. It may be added that he was Foreign Secretary when +the Porte acknowledged the independence of Greece by the Treaty of +Adrianople (1829).] + + +[Footnote 2: In this war, the scene of which lay chiefly in Wallachia, +Bosnia, Bulgaria, and Servia, the main episodes were the two battles of +Rustchuk (July 4 and October 14, 1811), the recapture of Silistria by +the Russians, and the Convention of Giurgevo between the contending +forces (October 28, 1811).]g + + + + + +144.--To his Mother. + + + Athens, July 25, 1810. + + + Dear Mother,--I have arrived here in four days from Constantinople, + which is considered as singularly quick, particularly for the season + of the year. I left Constantinople with Adair, at whose adieux of + leave I saw Sultan Mahmout, [1] and obtained a firman to visit the + mosques, of which I gave you a description in my last letter, now + voyaging to England in the _Salsette_ frigate, in which I visited the + plains of Troy and Constantinople. Your northern gentry can have no + conception of a Greek summer; which, however, is a perfect frost + compared with Malta and Gibraltar, where I reposed myself in the shade + last year, after a gentle gallop of four hundred miles, without + intermission, through Portugal and Spain. You see, by my date, that I + am at Athens again, a place which I think I prefer, upon the whole, to + any I have seen. + + My next movement is to-morrow into the Morea, where I shall probably + remain a month or two, and then return to winter here, if I do not + change my plans, which, however, are very variable, as you may + suppose; but none of them verge to England. + + The Marquis of Sligo, [2] my old fellow-collegian, is here, and wishes + to accompany me into the Morea. We shall go together for that purpose; + but I am woefully sick of travelling companions, after a year's + experience of Mr. Hobhouse, who is on his way to Great Britain. Lord + S. will afterwards pursue his way to the capital; and Lord B., having + seen all the wonders in that quarter, will let you know what he does + next, of which at present he is not quite certain. Malta is my + perpetual post-office, from which my letters are forwarded to all + parts of the habitable globe:--by the bye, I have now been in Asia, + Africa, and the east of Europe, and, indeed, made the most of my time, + without hurrying over the most interesting scenes of the ancient + world. Fletcher, after having been toasted and roasted, and baked, and + grilled, and eaten by all sorts of creeping things, begins to + philosophise, is grown a refined as well as a resigned character, and + promises at his return to become an ornament to his own parish, and a + very prominent person in the future family pedigree of the Fletchers, + who I take to be Goths by their accomplishments, Greeks by their + acuteness, and ancient Saxons by their appetite. He (Fletcher) begs + leave to send half-a-dozen sighs to Sally his spouse, and wonders + (though I do not) that his ill-written and worse spelt letters have + never come to hand; as for that matter, there is no great loss in + either of our letters, saving and except that I wish you to know we + are well, and warm enough at this present writing, God knows. You must + not expect long letters at present, for they are written with the + sweat of my brow, I assure you. It is rather singular that Mr. Hanson + has not written a syllable since my departure. Your letters I have + mostly received as well as others; from which I conjecture that the + man of law is either angry or busy. + + I trust you like Newstead, and agree with your neighbours; but you + know _you_ are a _vixen_--is not that a dutiful appellation? Pray, + take care of my books and several boxes of papers in the hands of + Joseph; and pray leave me a few bottles of champagne to drink, for I + am very thirsty;--but I do not insist on the last article, without you + like it. I suppose you have your house full of silly women, prating + scandalous things. Have you ever received my picture in oil from + Sanders, London? It has been paid for these sixteen months: why do you + not get it? My suite, consisting of two Turks, two Greeks, a Lutheran, + and the nondescript, Fletcher, are making so much noise, that I am + glad to sign myself + + Yours, etc., etc., + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: On July 10, 1810, the British ambassador, Robert Adair, had +his audience of Sultan Mahmoud II, and on the 14th the 'Salsette' set +sail. She touched at the island of Zea to land Byron, who thence made +his way to Athens. + +It was in making war against Mahmoud II, the conqueror of Ali Pasha and +the destroyer of the Janissaries, that Byron lost his life. The +following description of the Sultan is given by Hobhouse ('Travels in +Albania, etc.,' vol. ii. pp. 364, 365):-- + + "The chamber was small and dark, or rather illumined with a gloomy + artificial light, reflected from the ornaments of silver, pearls, and + other white brilliants, with which it is thickly studded on every side + and on the roof. The throne, which is supposed the richest in the + world, is like a four-posted bed, but of a dazzling splendour; the + lower part formed of burnished silver and pearls, and the canopy and + supporters encrusted with jewels. It is in an awkward position, being + in one corner of the room, and close to a fireplace. + + "Sultan Mahmoud was placed in the middle of the throne, with his feet + upon the ground, which, notwithstanding the common form of squatting + upon the hams, seems the seat of ceremony. He was dressed in a robe of + yellow satin, with a broad border of the darkest sable; his dagger, + and an ornament on his breast, were covered with diamonds; the front + of his white and blue turban shone with a large treble sprig of + diamonds, which served as a buckle to a high, straight plume of + bird-of-paradise feathers. He, for the most part, kept a hand on each + knee, and neither moved his body nor head, but rolled his eyes from + side to side, without fixing them for an instant upon the ambassador + or any other person present. Occasionally he stroked and turned up his + beard, displaying a milk-white hand glittering with diamond rings. His + eyebrows, eyes, and beard, being of a glossy jet black, did not appear + natural, but added to that indescribable majesty which it would be + difficult for any but an Oriental sovereign to assume; his face was + pale, and regularly formed, except that his nose (contrary to the + usual form of that feature in the Ottoman princes) was slightly turned + up and pointed; his whole physiognomy was mild and benevolent, but + expressive and full of dignity. He appeared of a short and small + stature, and about thirty years old, which is somewhat more than his + actual age." + +Byron, at the audience, claimed some precedence in the procession as a +peer. On May 23, 1819, Moore sat at dinner next to Stratford Canning +(afterwards Lord Stratford de Redcliffe), who + + "gave a ludicrous account of Lord Byron's insisting upon taking + precedence of the 'corps diplomatique' in a procession at + Constantinople (when Canning was secretary), and upon Adair's refusing + it, limping, with as much swagger as he could muster, up the hall, + cocking a foreign military hat on his head. He found, however, he was + wrong, and wrote a very frank letter acknowledging it, and offering to + take his station anywhere" + + ('Journals, etc., of Thomas Moore', vol. ii. p. 313). + +An incident of the voyage from Constantinople to Zea is mentioned by +Moore ('Life', p. 110). Picking up a Turkish dagger on the deck, Byron +looked at the blade, and then, before replacing it in the sheath, was +overheard to say to himself, "I should like to know how a person feels +after committing a murder." In 'Firmilian; a Spasmodic Tragedy' (scene +ix.) the sentiment is parodied. Firmilian determines to murder his +friend, in order to shriek "delirious at the taste of sin!" He had +already blown up a church full of people; but-- + + "I must have + A more potential draught of guilt than this + With more of wormwood in it! ... + ... + Courage, Firmilian! for the hour has come + When thou canst know atrocity indeed, + By smiting him that was thy dearest friend. + And think not that he dies a vulgar death-- + 'Tis poetry demands the sacrifice!" + +And he hurls Haverillo from the summit of the Pillar of St. Simeon +Stylites. + + +[Footnote 3: For Lord Sligo, see page 100 [Letter 51], [Foot]note 2 [4]. +Lord Sligo was at Athens with a 12-gun brig and a crew of fifty men. At +Athens, also, were Lady Hester Stanhope and Michael Bruce, on their way +through European Turkey. As the party were passing the Piraeus, they saw +a man jump from the mole-head into the sea. Lord Sligo, recognizing the +bather as Byron, called to him to dress and join them. Thus began what +Byron, in his Memoranda, speaks of as "the most delightful acquaintance +which I formed in Greece." From Lord Sligo Moore heard the following +stories:-- + +Weakened and thinned by his illness at Patras, Byron returned to Athens. +There, standing one day before a looking-glass, he said to Lord Sligo, +"How pale I look! I should like, I think, to die of a consumption." "Why +of a consumption?" asked his friend. "Because then," he answered, "the +women would all say, 'See that poor Byron--how interesting he looks in +dying!'" + +He often spoke of his mother to Lord Sligo, who thought that his feeling +towards her was little short of aversion. "Some time or other," he said, +"I will tell you why I feel thus towards her." A few days after, when +they were bathing together in the Gulf of Lepanto, pointing to his naked +leg and foot, he exclaimed, + + "Look there! It is to her false delicacy at my birth I owe that + deformity; and yet as long as I can remember, she has never ceased to + taunt and reproach me with it. Even a few days before we parted, for + the last time, on my leaving England, she, in one of her fits of + passion, uttered an imprecation upon me, praying that I might prove as + ill formed in mind as I am in body!" + +Relics of ancient art only appealed to Byron's imagination among their +original and natural surroundings. For collections and collectors he had +a contempt which, like everything he thought or felt, was unreservedly +expressed. Lord Sligo wished to spend some money in digging for +antiquities, and Byron offered to act as his agent, and to see the money +honestly applied. "You may safely trust 'me'" he said; "I am no +dilettante. Your connoisseurs are all thieves; but I care too little for +these things ever to steal them." + +His system of thinning himself, which he had begun before he left +England, was continued abroad. While at Athens, where he stayed at the +Franciscan Convent, he took a Turkish bath three times a week, his usual +drink being vinegar and water, and his food seldom more than a little +rice. The result was that, when he returned to England, he weighed only +9 stone 11-1/2 lbs. (see page 127 [Letter 71], [Foot]note 1). + +Moore's account of the "cordial friendship" between Byron and Lady +Hester Stanhope requires modification. Lady Hester (see page 302, note +I) thus referred in after-life to her meeting with Byron, if her +physician's recollection is to be trusted ('Memoirs', by Dr. Meryon, +vol. iii. pp. 218, 219)-- + + "'I think he was a strange character: his generosity was for a motive, + his avarice for a motive; one time he was mopish, and nobody was to + speak to him; another, he was for being jocular with everybody. Then + he was a sort of Don Quixote, fighting with the police for a woman of + the town; and then he wanted to make himself something great ... At + Athens I saw nothing in him but a well-bred man, like many others; + for, as for poetry, it is easy enough to write verses; and as for the + thoughts, who knows where he got them? ... He had a great deal of vice + in his looks--his eyes set close together, and a contracted brow--so' + (imitating it). 'Oh, Lord! I am sure he was not a liberal man, + whatever else he might be. The only good thing about his looks was + this part' (drawing her hand under the cheek down the front of her + neck), 'and the curl on his forehead.'" + +Michael Bruce, with the help of Sir Robert Wilson and Capt. Hutchinson, +assisted Count Lavallette to escape from Paris in January, 1816. For an +account, see Wilson's intercepted letter to Lord Grey ('Memoires du +Comte Lavallette', vol. ii. p. 132) and the story of their trial, +conviction, and sentence before the Assize Court of the Department of +the Seine (April 22-24, 1816), given in the 'Annual Register' for 1816, +pp. 329-336.] + + + + + +145.--To his Mother. + + Athens, July 27, 1810. + + Dear Mother,--I write again in case you have not received my letters. + To-day I go into the Morea, which will, I trust, be colder than this + place, where I have tarried in the expectation of obtaining rest. + Sligo has very kindly proposed a union of our forces for the occasion, + which will be perhaps as uncomfortable to him as to myself, judging + from previous experience, which, however, may be explained by my own + irritability and hurry. + + At Constantinople I visited the Mosques, plains, and grandees of that + place, which, in my opinion, cannot be compared with Athens and its + neighbourhood; indeed I know of no Turkish scenery to equal this, + which would be civilised and Celtic enough with a little alteration in + situation and inhabitants. An usual custom here, as at Cadiz, is to + part with wives, daughters, etc., for a trifling present of gold or + English arms (which the Greeks set a high value upon). The women are + generally of the middle height, with Turkish eyes, straight hair, and + clear olive complexion, but are not nearly so amorous as the Spanish + belles, whom I have described to you in former letters. I have some + feats to boast of when I return, which is undesired and undesirable--I + always except you from my complaints, and hope you will expect me with + the same delight that I anticipate meeting you. You can have no + conception of Lord S.'s ecstasy when I informed him of my probable + movements. The man is well enough and sensible enough by himself; but + the swarm of attendants, Turks, Greeks, Englishmen that he carries + with him, makes his society, or rather theirs, an intolerable + annoyance. If you will read this letter to----, you may imagine in + what capacity I believe you excel. + + Before I left England I promised to give my silver-mounted whip (in + your chamber) to Charles. Present it to him, poor boy, for I should + not like him to suppose me as unfaithful as his _amante_, who, by the + way is no better than she should be, and no great loss to himself or + his family. Hobhouse is silent, and has, I suppose, not yet returned; + indeed, like myself, he appears to love the world better than England, + and the Devil more than either, who I regret is not present to be + informed of this. Do not fail, if you see him (Hobhouse, I mean), to + repeat it, and the assurance that I am to him, with yourself, + + Ever affectionately, + + BYRON. + + + + + +146.--To his Mother. + + Patras, July 30, 1810. + + DEAR MADAM,--In four days from Constantinople, with a favourable wind, + I arrived in the frigate at the island of Teos, from whence I took a + boat to Athens, where I met my friend the Marquis of Sligo, who + expressed a wish to proceed with me as far as Corinth. At Corinth we + separated, he for Tripolitza, I for Patras, where I had some business + with the consul, Mr. Strané, in whose house I now write. He has + rendered me every service in his power since I quitted Malta on my way + to Constantinople, whence I have written to you twice or thrice. In a + few days I visit the Pacha[1] at Tripolitza, make the tour of the + Morea, and return again to Athens, which at present is my + head-quarters. The heat is at present intense. In England, if it + reaches 98° you are all on fire: the other day, in travelling between + Athens and Megara, the thermometer was at 125°!!! Yet I feel no + inconvenience; of course I am much bronzed, but I live temperately, + and never enjoyed better health. + + Before I left Constantinople, I saw the Sultan (with Mr. Adair), and + the interior of the mosques, things which rarely happen to travellers. + Mr. Hobhouse is gone to England: I am in no hurry to return, but have + no particular communications for your country, except my surprise at + Mr. Hanson's silence, and my desire that he will remit regularly. I + suppose some arrangement has been made with regard to Wymondham and + Rochdale. Malta is my post-office, or to Mr. Strané, consul-general, + Patras, Morea. You complain of my silence--I have written twenty or + thirty times within the last year: never less than twice a month, and + often more. If my letters do not arrive, you must not conclude that we + are eaten, or that there is war, or a pestilence, or famine: neither + must you credit silly reports, which I dare say you have in Notts., as + usual. I am very well, and neither more nor less happy than I usually + am; except that I am very glad to be once more alone, for I was sick + of my companion,--not that he was a bad one, but because my nature + leads me to solitude, and that every day adds to this disposition. If + I chose, here are many men who would wish to join me--one wants me to + go to Egypt, another to Asia, of which I have seen enough. The greater + part of Greece is already my own, so that I shall only go over my old + ground, and look upon my old seas and mountains, the only + acquaintances I ever found improve upon me. + + I have a tolerable suite, a Tartar, two Albanians, an interpreter, + besides Fletcher; but in this country these are easily maintained. + Adair received me wonderfully well, and indeed I have no complaints + against any one. Hospitality here is necessary, for inns are not. I + have lived in the houses of Greeks, Turks, Italians, and + English--to-day in a palace, to-morrow in a cow-house; this day with a + Pacha, the next with a shepherd. I shall continue to write briefly, + but frequently, and am glad to hear from you; but you fill your + letters with things from the papers, as if English papers were not + found all over the world. I have at this moment a dozen before me. + Pray take care of my books, and believe me, my dear mother, + + Yours very faithfully, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: For Veli Pasha, see page 248 [Letter 131], [Foot]note 1 +[2].] + + + + + +147.--To his Mother. + + + Patras, October 2, 1810. + + + DEAR MADAM,--It is now several months since I have received any + communication from you; but at this I am not surprised, nor indeed + have I any complaint to make, since you have written frequently, for + which I thank you; but I very much condemn Mr. Hanson, who has not + taken the smallest notice of my many letters, nor of my request before + I left England, which I sailed from on this very day _fifteen_ months + ago. Thus one year and a quarter have passed away, without my + receiving the least intelligence on the state of my affairs, and they + were not in a posture to admit of neglect; and I do conceive and + declare that Mr. Hanson has acted negligently and culpably in not + apprising me of his proceedings; I will also add uncivilly. His + letters, were there any, could not easily miscarry; the communications + with the Levant are slow, but tolerably secure, at least as far as + Malta, and there I left directions which I know would be observed. + + I have written to you several times from Constantinople and Smyrna. + You will perceive by my date I am returned into the Morea,[1] of which + I have been making the tour, and visiting the Pacha, who gave me a + fine horse, and paid me all possible honours and attention. I have now + seen a good portion of Turkey in Europe, and Asia Minor, and shall + remain at Athens, and in the vicinity, till I hear from England. + + I have punctually obeyed your injunctions of writing frequently, but I + shall not pretend to describe countries which have been already amply + treated of. I believe before this time Mr. Hobhouse will have arrived + in England, and he brings letters from me, written at Constantinople. + In these I mention having seen the Sultan and the mosques, and that I + swam from Sestos to Abydos, an exploit of which I take care to boast. + + I am here on business at present, but Athens is my head-quarters, + where I am very pleasantly situated in a Franciscan convent. Believe + me to be, with great sincerity, yours very affectionately, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--Fletcher is well, and discontented as usual; his wife don't + write, at least her scrawls have not arrived. You will address to + Malta. Pray have you never received my picture in oil from Sanders, + Vigo Lane, London? + + + +[Footnote 1: In a note upon the Advertisement prefixed to his 'Siege of +Corinth', Byron says, + + "I visited all three (Tripolitza, Napoli, and Argos) in 1810-11, and, + in the course of journeying through the country, from my first arrival + in 1809, I crossed the Isthmus eight times in my way from Attica to + the Morea, over the mountains, or in the other direction, when passing + from the Gulf of Athens to that of Lepanto."] + + + + + +148.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Patras, Morea, October 3, 1810. + + + As I have just escaped from a physician and a fever, which confined me + five days to bed, you won't expect much _allegrezza_ in the ensuing + letter. In this place there is an indigenous distemper, which when the + wind blows from the Gulf of Corinth (as it does five months out of + six), attacks great and small, and makes woful work with visiters. + Here be also two physicians, one of whom trusts to his genius (never + having studied)--the other to a campaign of eighteen months against + the sick of Otranto, which he made in his youth with great effect. + + When I was seized with my disorder, I protested against both these + assassins;--but what can a helpless, feverish, toast-and-watered poor + wretch do? In spite of my teeth and tongue, the English consul, my + Tartar, Albanians, dragoman, forced a physician upon me, and in three + days vomited and glystered me to the last gasp. In this state I made + my epitaph--take it:-- + + Youth, Nature, and relenting Jove, + To keep my lamp _in_ strongly strove: + But Romanelli was so stout, + He beat all three--and _blew_ it _out_. + + But Nature and Jove, being piqued at my doubts, did, in fact, at last, + beat Romanelli, and here I am, well but weakly, at your service. + + Since I left Constantinople, I have made a tour of the Morea, and + visited Veley Pacha, who paid me great honours, and gave me a pretty + stallion. H. is doubtless in England before even the date of this + letter:--he bears a despatch from me to your bardship. He writes to me + from Malta, and requests my journal, if I keep one. I have none, or he + should have it; but I have replied in a consolatory and exhortatory + epistle, praying him to abate three and sixpence in the price of his + next boke, seeing that half a guinea is a price not to be given for + any thing save an opera ticket. + + As for England, it is long since I have heard from it. Every one at + all connected with my concerns is asleep, and you are my only + correspondent, agents excepted. I have really no friends in the world; + though all my old school companions are gone forth into that world, + and walk about there in monstrous disguises, in the garb of guardsmen, + lawyers, parsons, fine gentlemen, and such other masquerade dresses. + So, I here shake hands and cut with all these busy people, none of + whom write to me. Indeed I ask it not;--and here I am, a poor + traveller and heathenish philosopher, who hath perambulated the + greatest part of the Levant, and seen a great quantity of very + improvable land and sea, and, after all, am no better than when I set + out--Lord help me! + + I have been out fifteen months this very day, and I believe my + concerns will draw me to England soon; but of this I will apprise you + regularly from Malta. On all points Hobhouse will inform you, if you + are curious as to our adventures. [1] I have seen some old English + papers up to the 15th of May. I see the _Lady of the Lake_[2] + advertised. Of course it is in his old ballad style, and pretty. After + all, Scott is the best of them. The end of all scribblement is to + amuse, and he certainly succeeds there. I long to read his new + romance. + + And how does _Sir Edgar_? and your friend Bland? I suppose you are + involved in some literary squabble. The only way is to despise all + brothers of the quill. I suppose you won't allow me to be an author, + but I contemn you all, you dogs!--I do. + + You don't know Dallas, do you? He had a farce [3] ready for the stage + before I left England, and asked me for a prologue, which I promised, + but sailed in such a hurry I never penned a couplet. I am afraid to + ask after his drama, for fear it should be damned--Lord forgive me for + using such a word! but the pit, Sir, you know the pit--they will do + those things in spite of merit. I remember this farce from a curious + circumstance. When Drury Lane [4] was burnt to the ground, by which + accident Sheridan and his son lost the few remaining shillings they + were worth, what doth my friend Dallas do? Why, before the fire was + out, he writes a note to Tom Sheridan, [5] the manager of this + combustible concern, to inquire whether this farce was not converted + into fuel with about two thousand other unactable manuscripts, which + of course were in great peril, if not actually consumed. Now was not + this characteristic?--the ruling passions of Pope are nothing to it. + Whilst the poor distracted manager was bewailing the loss of a + building only worth £300,000., together with some twenty thousand + pounds of rags and tinsel in the tiring rooms, Bluebeard's elephants, + [6] and all that--in comes a note from a scorching author, requiring + at his hands two acts and odd scenes of a farce!! + + Dear H., remind Drury that I am his well-wisher, and let Scrope Davies + be well affected towards me. I look forward to meeting you at + Newstead, and renewing our old champagne evenings with all the glee of + anticipation. I have written by every opportunity, and expect + responses as regular as those of the liturgy, and somewhat longer. As + it is impossible for a man in his senses to hope for happy days, let + us at least look forward to merry ones, which come nearest to the + other in appearance, if not in reality; and in such expectations I + remain, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: Hobhouse, writing to Byron from Malta, July 31, 1810, says, + + "Mrs. Bruce picked out a pretty picture of a woman in a fashionable + dress in Ackerman's 'Repository', and observed it was vastly like Lord + Byron. I give you warning of this, for fear you should make another + conquest and return to England without a curl upon your head. Surely + the ladies copy Delilah when they crop their lovers after this fashion. + + 'Successful youth! why mourn thy ravish'd hair, + Since each lost lock bespeaks a conquer'd fair, + And young and old conspire to make thee bare?' + + This makes me think of my poor 'Miscellany', which is quite dead, if + indeed that can be said to be dead which was never alive; not a soul + knows, or knowing will speak of it." Again, July 15, 1811, he writes: + "The 'Miscellany' is so damned that my friends make it a point of + politeness not to mention it ever to me."] + + +[Footnote 2: 'The Lady of the Lake' was published in May, 1810.] + + +[Footnote 3: For Dallas, see page 168 [Letter 87], [Foot]note 1. His +farce, entitled, 'Not at Home', was acted at the Lyceum, by the Drury +Lane Company, in November, 1809. It was afterwards printed, with a +prologue (intended to have been spoken) written by Walter Rodwell +Wright, author of 'Horae Ionicae'.] + + +[Footnote 4: Drury Lane Theatre, burned down in 1791, and reopened in +1794, was again destroyed by fire on February 24, 1809.] + + +[Footnote 5: Thomas Sheridan (1775-1817), originally in the army, was at +this time assisting his father, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, as manager of +Drury Lane Theatre. His 'Bonduca' was played at Covent Garden in May, +1808. He married, in 1805, Caroline Henrietta Callender, who was "more +beautiful than anybody but her daughters," afterwards Mrs. Norton, the +Duchess of Somerset, and Lady Dufferin. He died at the Cape of Good Hope +in 1817. "Tom Sheridan and his beautiful wife" were at Gibraltar in +1809, when Byron and Hobhouse landed on the Rock, and, as Galt states +('Life of Byron', p. 58), brought the news to Lady Westmorland of their +arrival. (See 'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers', lines 572, 573, and +note 1.)] + + +[Footnote 6: 'Bluebeard, or Female Curiosity', by George Colman the +Younger (1762-1836), was being acted at Drury Lane in January, 1809. +"Bluebeard's elephants" were wicker-work constructions. It was at Covent +Garden that the first live elephant was introduced two years later. +Johnstone, the machinist employed at Drury Lane, famous for the +construction of wooden children, wicker-work lions, and paste-board +swans, was present with a friend. + + "Among the attractions of this Christmas foolery, a _real_ elephant + was introduced.... The friend, who sat close to Johnstone, jogged his + elbow, whispering, 'This is a bitter bad job for Drury! Why, the + elephant's _alive_! He'll carry all before him, and beat you hollow. + What do you think on't, eh?' 'Think on't?' said Johnstone, in a tone + of utmost contempt, 'I should be very sorry if I couldn't make a much + better elephant than that, at any time'" + +(George Colman the Younger, 'Random Records', vol. i. pp. 228, 229).] + + + + + +149.--To John Cam Hobhouse. + + + Patras, Morea, October 4th, 1810. + + + MY Dear Hobhouse,--I wrote to you two days ago, but the weather and my + friend Strané's conversation being much the same, and my ally Nicola + [1] in bed with a fever, I think I may as well talk to you, the + rather, as you can't answer me, and excite my wrath with impertinent + observations, at least for three months to come. + + I will try not to say the same things I have set down in my other + letter of the 2nd, but I can't promise, as my poor head is still giddy + with my late fever. + + I saw the Lady Hesther Stanhope [2] at Athens, and do not admire "that + dangerous thing a female wit." She told me (take her own words) that + she had given you a good set-down at Malta, in some disputation about + the Navy; from this, of course, I readily inferred the contrary, or in + the words of an _acquaintance_ of ours, that "you had the best of it." + + She evinced a similar disposition to _argufy_ with me, which I avoided + by either laughing or yielding. I despise the sex too much to squabble + with them, and I rather wonder you should allow a woman to draw you + into a contest, in which, however, I am sure you had the advantage, + she abuses you so bitterly. + + I have seen too little of the Lady to form any decisive opinion, but I + have discovered nothing different from other she-things, except a + great disregard of received notions in her conversation as well as + conduct. I don't know whether this will recommend her to our sex, but + I am sure it won't to her own. She is going on to Constantinople. + + Ali Pacha is in a scrape. Ibrahim Pacha and the Pacha of Scutari have + come down upon him with 20,000 Gegdes and Albanians, retaken Berat, + and threaten Tepaleni. Adam Bey is dead, Vely Pacha was on his way to + the Danube, but has gone off suddenly to Yanina, and all Albania is in + an uproar. + + The mountains we crossed last year are the scene of warfare, and there + is nothing but carnage and cutting of throats. In my other letter I + mentioned that Vely had given me a fine horse. On my late visit he + received me with great pomp, standing, conducted me to the door with + his arm round my waist, and a variety of civilities, invited me to + meet him at Larissa and see his army, which I should have accepted, + had not this rupture with Ibrahim taken place. Sultan Mahmout is in a + phrenzy because Vely has not joined the army. We have a report here, + that the Russians have beaten the Turks and taken Muchtar Pacha + prisoner, but it is a Greek Bazaar rumour and not to be believed. + + I have now treated you with a dish of Turkish politics. You have by + this time gotten into England, and your ears and mouth are full of + "Reform Burdett, Gale Jones, [3] minority, last night's division, + dissolution of Parliament, battle in Portugal," and all the cream of + forty newspapers. + + In my t'other letter, to which I am perpetually obliged to refer, I + have offered some moving topics on the head of your _Miscellany_, the + neglect of which I attribute to the half guinea annexed as the + indispensable equivalent for the said volume. + + Now I do hope, notwithstanding that exorbitant demand, that on your + return you will find it selling, or, what is better, sold, in + consequence of which you will be able to face the public with your new + volume, if that intention still subsists. + + My journal, did I keep one, should be yours. As it is I can only offer + my sincere wishes for your success, if you will believe it possible + for a brother scribbler to be sincere on such an occasion. + + Will you execute a commission for me? Lord Sligo tells me it was the + intention of Miller [4] in Albemarle Street to send by him a letter to + me, which he stated to be of consequence. Now I have no concern with + Mr. M. except a bill which I hope is paid before this time; will you + visit the said M. and if it be a pecuniary matter, refer him to + Hanson, and if not, tell me what he means, or forward his letter. + + I have just received an epistle from Galt, [5] with a Candist poem, + which it seems I am to forward to you. This I would willingly do, but + it is too large for a letter, and too small for a parcel, and besides + appears to be damned nonsense, from all which considerations I will + deliver it in person. It is entitled the "Fair Shepherdess," or rather + "Herdswoman;" if you don't like the translation take the original + title "[Greek (transliterated): hae boskopoula]." Galt also writes + something not very intelligible about a "Spartan State paper" which by + his account is everything but Laconic. Now the said Sparta having some + years ceased to be a state, what the devil does he mean by a paper? he + also adds mysteriously that the _affair_ not being concluded, he + cannot at present apply for it. + + Now, Hobhouse, are you mad? or is he? Are these documents for Longman + & Co.? Spartan state papers! and Cretan rhymes! indeed these + circumstances super-added to his house at Mycone (whither I am + invited) and his Levant wines, make me suspect his sanity. Athens is + at present infested with English people, but they are moving, _Dio + bendetto!_ I am returning to pass a month or two; I think the spring + will see me in England, but do not let this transpire, nor cease to + urge the most dilatory of mortals, Hanson. I have some idea of + purchasing the Island of Ithaca; I suppose you will add me to the + Levant lunatics. I shall be glad to hear from your Signoria of your + welfare, politics, and literature. + + Your last letter closes pathetically with a postscript about a + nosegay; [6] I advise you to introduce that into your next sentimental + novel. I am sure I did not suspect you of any fine feelings, and I + believe you were laughing, but you are welcome. + + _Vale_; "I can no more," like Lord Grizzle. [7] + + Yours, + + [Greek (transliterated): Mpair_on] + + + + + +[Footnote 1: Nicolo Giraud, from whom Byron was learning Italian.] + + +[Footnote 2: Hobhouse had written to Byron, speaking of Lady Hester +Stanhope "as the most superior woman, as Bruce says, of all the world." +The daughter of Pitt's favourite sister, Lady Hester (1776-1839) was her +uncle's constant companion (1803-6). In character she resembled her +grandfather far more than her uncle, who owed his cool judgment to the +Grenville blood. Lady Hester inherited the overweening pride, +generosity, courage, and fervent heat of the "Great Commoner," as well +as his indomitable will. Like him, she despised difficulties, and +ignored the word "impossibility." Her romantic ideas were also combined +with keen insight into character, and much practical sagacity. These +were the qualities which made her for many years a power among the wild +tribes of Lebanon, with whom she was in 1810 proceeding to take up her +abode (1813-39).] + + +[Footnote 3: Sir Francis Burdett (1770-1844), a lifelong friend of Lady +Hester Stanhope, was afterwards Hobhouse's colleague as M.P. for +Westminster (1820-33). He was committed to the Tower in 1810 for +publishing a speech which he delivered in the House of Commons in +defence of John Gale Jones, whom the House (February, 1810) had sent to +Newgate for a breach of privilege. Sir Francis refused to obey the +warrant, and told the sergeant-at-arms that he would not go unless taken +by force. His refusal led to riots near his house (77, Piccadilly), in +which the Horse Guards, or "Oxford Blues" as they were called, gained +the name of "Piccadilly Butchers" (Lord Albemarle's 'Recollections', +vol. i. pp. 317, 318).] + + +[Footnote 4: See page 319, 'note 2.'] + + +[Footnote 5: John Galt (1779-1839), the novelist, was at this time +endeavouring to establish a place of business at Mycone, in the Greek +Archipelago. He published in 1812 his 'Voyages and Travels in the Years' +1809, 1810, 1811. (For his meeting with Byron at Gibraltar, see page +243 [Letter 130], [Foot]note 1.)] + + +[Footnote 6: Hobhouse's letter to Byron of July 31, 1810, ends with the +following postscript:-- + + "I kept the half of your little nosegay till it withered entirely, and + even then I could not bear to throw it away. I can't account for this, + nor can you either, I dare say."] + + +[Footnote 7: Lord Grizzle, in Fielding's 'Tom Thumb', is the first peer +in the Court of King Arthur, who, jealous of Tom Thumb and in love with +the Princess Huncamunca, turns traitor, and is run through the body by +Tom Thumb. It is the ghost, not Grizzle, who says, "I can no more." (See +page 226 [Letter 124], [Foot]note 1.)] + + + + + +150.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Athens, November 14, 1810. + + + MY DEAR HODGSON,--This will arrive with an English servant whom I send + homewards with some papers of consequence. I have been journeying in + different parts of Greece for these last four months, and you may + expect me in England somewhere about April, but this is very dubious. + Hobhouse you have doubtless seen; he went home in August to arrange + materials for a tour he talks of publishing. You will find him well + and scribbling--that is, scribbling if well, and well if scribbling. + + I suppose you have a score of new works, all of which I hope to see + flourishing, with a hecatomb of reviews. _My_ works are likely to have + a powerful effect with a vengeance, as I hear of divers angry people, + whom it is proper I should shoot at, by way of satisfaction. Be it so, + the same impulse which made "Otho a warrior" will make me one also. My + domestic affairs being moreover considerably deranged, my appetite for + travelling pretty well satiated with my late peregrinations, my + various hopes in this world almost extinct, and not very brilliant in + the next, I trust I shall go through the process with a creditable + _sang froid_ and not disgrace a line of cut-throat ancestors. + + I regret in one of your letters to hear you talk of domestic + embarrassments, [1] indeed I am at present very well calculated to + sympathise with you on that point. I suppose I must take to + dram-drinking as a _succedaneum_ for philosophy, though as I am + happily not married, I have very little occasion for either just yet. + + Talking of marriage puts me in mind of Drury, who I suppose has a + dozen children by this time, all fine fretful brats; I will never + forgive Matrimony for having spoiled such an excellent Bachelor. If + anybody honours my name with an inquiry tell them of "my whereabouts" + and write if you like it. I am living alone in the Franciscan + monastery with one "fri_ar_" (a Capuchin of course) and one "fri_er_" + (a bandy-legged Turkish cook), two Albanian savages, a Tartar, and a + Dragoman. My only Englishman departs with this and other letters. The + day before yesterday the Waywode (or Governor of Athens) with the + Mufti of Thebes (a sort of Mussulman Bishop) supped here and made + themselves beastly with raw rum, and the Padré of the convent being as + drunk as _we_, my _Attic_ feast went off with great _éclat_. I have + had a present of a stallion from the Pacha of the Morea. I caught a + fever going to Olympia. I was blown ashore on the Island of Salamis, + in my way to Corinth through the Gulf of Ægina. I have kicked an + Athenian postmaster, I have a friendship with the French consul [2] + and an Italian painter, and am on good terms with five Teutones and + Cimbri, Danes and Germans, [2] who are travelling for an Academy. + Vale! + + Yours, [Greek: Mpair_on] [3] + + + +[Footnote 1: Hodgson's father, Rector of Barwick-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, +died in October, 1810, heavily in debt. Francis Hodgson undertook +to satisfy the claims of his father's creditors ('Life of the Rev. Francis +Hodgson', vol. i. pp. 147, 148).] + + +[Footnote 2: M. Fauriel, the French Consul: Lusieri, an Italian artist +employed by Lord Elgin; Nicolo Giraud, from whom Byron learned Italian, +and to whose sister Lusieri proposed; Baron Haller, a Bavarian +'savant'; and Dr. Bronstett, of Copenhagen, were among his friends +at Athens.] + + +[Footnote 3: The signature represents "Byron" in modern Greek, [Greek: +Mp] being the correct transliteration of 'B'.] + + + + + +151.--To his Mother. + + + Athens, January 14, 1811. + + + My Dear Madam,--I seize an occasion to write as usual, shortly, but + frequently, as the arrival of letters, where there exists no regular + communication, is, of course, very precarious. I have lately made + several small tours of some hundred or two miles about the Morea, + Attica, etc., as I have finished my grand giro by the Troad, + Constantinople, etc., and am returned down again to Athens. I believe + I have mentioned to you more than once that I swam (in imitation of + Leander, though without his lady) across the Hellespont, from Sestos + to Abydos. Of this, and all other particulars, Fletcher, whom I have + sent home with papers, etc., will apprise you. I cannot find that he + is any loss; being tolerably master of the Italian and modern Greek + languages, which last I am also studying with a master, I can order + and discourse more than enough for a reasonable man. Besides, the + perpetual lamentations after beef and beer, the stupid, bigoted + contempt for every thing foreign, and insurmountable incapacity of + acquiring even a few words of any language, rendered him, like all + other English servants, an incumbrance. I do assure you, the plague of + speaking for him, the comforts he required (more than myself by far), + the pilaws (a Turkish dish of rice and meat) which he could not eat, + the wines which he could not drink, the beds where he could not sleep, + and the long list of calamities, such as stumbling horses, want of + _tea!!!_ etc., which assailed him, would have made a lasting source of + laughter to a spectator, and inconvenience to a master. After all, the + man is honest enough, and, in Christendom, capable enough; but in + Turkey, Lord forgive me! my Albanian soldiers, my Tartars and + Jannissary, worked for him and us too, as my friend Hobhouse can + testify. + + It is probable I may steer homewards in spring; but to enable me to do + that, I must have remittances. My own funds would have lasted me very + well; but I was obliged to assist a friend, who, I know, will pay me; + but, in the mean time, I am out of pocket. At present, I do not care + to venture a winter's voyage, even if I were otherwise tired of + travelling; but I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at + mankind instead of reading about them, and the bitter effects of + staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I + think there should be a law amongst us, to set our young men abroad, + for a term, among the few allies our wars have left us. + + Here I see and have conversed with French, Italians, Germans, Danes, + Greeks, Turks, Americans, etc., etc., etc.; and without losing sight + of my own, I can judge of the countries and manners of others. Where I + see the superiority of England (which, by the by, we are a good deal + mistaken about in many things), I am pleased, and where I find her + inferior, I am at least enlightened. Now, I might have stayed, smoked + in your towns, or fogged in your country, a century, without being + sure of this, and without acquiring any thing more useful or amusing + at home. I keep no journal, nor have I any intention of scribbling my + travels. I have done with authorship, and if, in my last production, I + have convinced the critics or the world I was something more than they + took me for, I am satisfied; nor will I hazard _that reputation_ by a + future effort. It is true I have some others in manuscript, but I + leave them for those who come after me; and, if deemed worth + publishing, they may serve to prolong my memory when I myself shall + cease to remember. I have a famous Bavarian artist taking some views + of Athens, etc., etc., for me. This will be better than scribbling, a + disease I hope myself cured of. I hope, on my return, to lead a quiet, + recluse life, but God knows and does best for us all; at least, so + they say, and I have nothing to object, as, on the whole, I have no + reason to complain of my lot. I am convinced, however, that men do + more harm to themselves than ever the devil could do to them. I trust + this will find you well, and as happy as we can be; you will, at + least, be pleased to hear I am so, and + + Yours ever. + + + + + +152.--To his Mother. + + + Athens, February 28, 1811. + + + DEAR MADAM,--As I have received a firman for Egypt, etc., I shall + proceed to that quarter in the spring, and I beg you will state to Mr. + Hanson that it is necessary to [send] further remittances. On the + subject of Newstead, I answer as before, _No_. If it is necessary to + sell, sell Rochdale. Fletcher will have arrived by this time with my + letters to that purport. I will tell you fairly, I have, in the first + place, no opinion of funded property; if, by any particular + circumstances, I shall be led to adopt such a determination, I will, + at all events, pass my life abroad, as my only tie to England is + Newstead, and, that once gone, neither interest nor inclination lead + me northward. Competence in your country is ample wealth in the East, + such is the difference in the value of money and the abundance of the + necessaries of life; and I feel myself so much a citizen of the world, + that the spot where I can enjoy a delicious climate, and every luxury, + at a less expense than a common college life in England, will always + be a country to me; and such are in fact the shores of the + Archipelago. This then is the alternative--if I preserve Newstead, I + return; if I sell it, I stay away. I have had no letters since yours + of June, but I have written several times, and shall continue, as + usual, on the same plan. + + Believe me, yours ever, BYRON. + + P.S.--I shall most likely see you in the course of the summer, but, of + course, at such a distance, I cannot specify any particular month. + + + + + +153.--To his Mother. + + + 'Volage' frigate, at sea, June 25, 1811. + + + DEAR MOTHER,--This letter, which will be forwarded on our arrival at + Portsmouth, probably about the 4th of July, is begun about + twenty-three days after our departure from Malta. I have just been two + years (to a day, on the 2d of July) absent from England, and I return + to it with much the same feelings which prevailed on my departure, + viz. indifference; but within that apathy I certainly do not comprise + yourself, as I will prove by every means in my power. You will be good + enough to get my apartments ready at Newstead; but don't disturb + yourself, on any account, particularly mine, nor consider me in any + other light than as a visiter. I must only inform you that for a long + time I have been restricted to an entire vegetable diet, neither fish + nor flesh coming within my regimen; so I expect a powerful stock of + potatoes, greens, and biscuit; I drink no wine. I have two servants, + middle-aged men, and both Greeks. It is my intention to proceed first + to town, to see Mr. Hanson, and thence to Newstead, on my way to + Rochdale. I have only to beg you will not forget my diet, which it is + very necessary for me to observe. I am well in health, as I have + generally been, with the exception of two agues, both of which I + quickly got over. + + My plans will so much depend on circumstances, that I shall not + venture to lay down an opinion on the subject. My prospects are not + very promising, but I suppose we shall wrestle through life like our + neighbours; indeed, by Hanson's last advices, I have some apprehension + of finding Newstead dismantled by Messrs. Brothers,[1] etc., and he + seems determined to force me into selling it, but he will be baffled. + I don't suppose I shall be much pestered with visiters; but if I am, + you must receive them, for I am determined to have nobody breaking in + upon my retirement: you know that I never was fond of society, and I + am less so than before. I have brought you a shawl, and a quantity of + attar of roses, but these I must smuggle, if possible. I trust to find + my library in tolerable order. + + Fletcher is no doubt arrived. I shall separate the mill from Mr. B--'s + farm, for his son is too gay a deceiver to inherit both, and place + Fletcher in it, who has served me faithfully, and whose wife is a good + woman; besides, it is necessary to sober young Mr. B--, or he will + people the parish with bastards. In a word, if he had seduced a + dairy-maid, he might have found something like an apology; but the + girl is his equal, and in high life or low life reparation is made in + such circumstances. But I shall not interfere further than (like + Buonaparte) by dismembering Mr. B.'s _kingdom_, and erecting part of + it into a principality for field-marshal Fletcher! I hope you govern + my little _empire_ and its sad load of national debt with a wary hand. + To drop my metaphor, I beg leave to subscribe myself + + Yours ever, BYRON. + + P.S. July 14.--This letter was written to be sent from Portsmouth, + but, on arriving there, the squadron was ordered to the Nore, from + whence I shall forward it. This I have not done before, supposing you + might be alarmed by the interval mentioned in the letter being longer + than expected between our arrival in port and my appearance at + Newstead. + + + +[Footnote 1: Brothers, an upholsterer of Nottingham, had put in an +execution at Newstead for £1600.] + + + + + +154.--To R. C. Dallas. + + + _Volage_ Frigate, at sea, June 28, 1811. + + + After two years' absence (to a day, on the 2d of July, before which we + shall not arrive at Portsmouth), I am retracing my way to England. I + have, as you know, spent the greater part of that period in Turkey, + except two months in Spain and Portugal, which were then accessible. I + have seen every thing most remarkable in Turkey, particularly the + Troad, Greece, Constantinople, and Albania, into which last region + very few have penetrated so high as Hobhouse and myself. I don't know + that I have done anything to distinguish me from other voyagers, + unless you will reckon my swimming from Sestos to Abydos, on May 3d, + 1810, a tolerable feat for a _modern_. + + I am coming back with little prospect of pleasure at home, and with a + body a little shaken by one or two smart fevers, but a spirit I hope + yet unbroken. My affairs, it seems, are considerably involved, and + much business must be done with lawyers, colliers, farmers, and + creditors. Now this, to a man who hates bustle as he hates a bishop, + is a serious concern. But enough of my home department. + + I find I have been scolding Cawthorn without a cause, as I found two + parcels with two letters from you on my return to Malta. By these it + appears you have not received a letter from Constantinople, addressed + to Longman's, but it was of no consequence. + + My Satire, it seems, is in a fourth edition, a success rather above + the middling run, but not much for a production which, from its + topics, must be temporary, and of course be successful at first, or + not at all. At this period, when I can think and act more coolly, I + regret that I have written it, though I shall probably find it + forgotten by all except those whom it has offended. My friend + Hobhouse's _Miscellany_ has not succeeded; but he himself writes so + good-humouredly on the subject, I don't know whether to laugh or cry + with him. He met with your son at Cadiz, of whom he speaks highly. + + Yours and Pratt's [1] _protégé_, Blacket, [2] the cobbler, is dead, in + spite of his rhymes, and is probably one of the instances where death + has saved a man from damnation. You were the ruin of that poor fellow + amongst you: had it not been for his patrons, he might now have been + in very good plight, shoe- (not verse-) making; but you have made him + immortal with a vengeance. I write this, supposing poetry, patronage, + and strong waters, to have been the death of him. If you are in town + in or about the beginning of July, you will find me at Dorant's, in + Albemarle Street, glad to see you.[1] I have an imitation of Horace's + _Art of Poetry_ ready for Cawthorn, but don't let that deter you, for + I sha'n't inflict it upon you. You know I never read my rhymes to + visiters. I shall quit town in a few days for Notts., and thence to + Rochdale. I shall send this the moment we arrive in harbour, that is a + week hence. + + Yours ever sincerely, BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: For Pratt, see page 186, note 1.] + + +[Footnote 2: Joseph Blacket (1786-1810) has his place in 'English Bards' +(lines 765, 798) and 'Hints from Horace' (line 734). The son of a +labourer, and himself by trade a cobbler, he wrote verses in which Pratt +saw signs of genius. A volume of his poetry was published in 1809, under +the title of 'Specimens', edited by Pratt. Among those who befriended +him were Elliston the actor, Dallas, and Miss Milbanke, afterwards Lady +Byron (see 'English Bards', lines 770, and note 1). His 'Remains' were +collected and published by Pratt in 1811 for the benefit of Blacket's +orphan daughter, with a dedication to "the Duchess of Leeds, Lady +Milbanke and family" (see page 337, and 'Hints from Horace', line 734, +and Byron's note). In the suppressed edition of Dallas's +'Correspondence of Lord Byron' (pp. 127, 128) occurs the following +passage, from which, if Dallas's grammar is to be trusted, it seems that +the famous epitaph on Blacket was not Byron's composition. Dallas + + "was persuaded by Mr. Pratt's warmth to see some sparkling of genius + in the effusions of this young man (Blacket). It was upon this that + Lord Byron and a young friend of his were sometimes playful in + conversation, and in writing to me. 'I see,' says the latter, 'that + Blacket the Son of Crispin and Apollo is dead.' Looking into Boswell's + 'Life of Johnson' the other day, I saw, 'We were talking about the + famous Mr. Wordsworth, the poetical Shoemaker.' Now, I never before + heard that there had been a Mr. Wordsworth a Poet, a Shoemaker, or a + famous man; and I dare say you have never heard of him. Thus it will + be with Bloomfield and Blackett--their names two years after their + death will be found neither on the rolls of Curriers' Hall nor of + Parnassus. Who would think that anybody would be such a blockhead as + to sin against an express proverb, 'Ne sutor ultra crepidam'? + + 'But spare him, ye Critics, his follies are past, + For the Cobler is come, as he ought, to his 'last'.' + + Which two lines, with a scratch under 'last', to show where the joke + lies, I beg that you will prevail on Miss Milbanke to have inserted on + the tomb of her departed Blacket." + +It should be added that the shoemaking poet was not Wordsworth, but +Woodhouse.] + + +[Footnote 3: Dallas called on Byron at Reddish's Hotel, St. James's +Street, July 15, 1811, and received from him the MS. of 'Hints from +Horace'. Byron finished the work March 12, 1811, at the Franciscan +Convent at Athens, where he found a copy of the 'De Arte Poeticâ'. +('Hints from Horace' were not, however, published till 1831.) On July 16 +Dallas called again, and expressed surprise that Byron had written +nothing else. Byron then produced out of his trunk 'Childe Harold's +Pilgrimage', saying, "They are not worth troubling you with, but you +shall have them all with you if you like." He was as reluctant to +publish 'Childe Harold' as he was eager to publish 'Hints from Horace'.] + + + + + +155.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + 'Volage' Frigate, at sea, June 29, 1811. + + + In a week, with a fair wind, we shall be at Portsmouth, and on the 2d + of July I shall have completed (to a day) two years of peregrination, + from which I am returning with as little emotion as I set out. I + think, upon the whole, I was more grieved at leaving Greece than + England, which I am impatient to see, simply because I am tired of a + long voyage. + + Indeed, my prospects are not very pleasant. Embarrassed in my private + affairs, indifferent to public, solitary without the wish to be + social, with a body a little enfeebled by a succession of fevers, but + a spirit I trust, yet unbroken, I am returning _home_ without a hope, + and almost without a desire. The first thing I shall have to encounter + will be a lawyer, the next a creditor, then colliers, farmers, + surveyors, and all the agreeable attachments to estates out of repair, + and contested coal-pits. In short, I am sick and sorry, and when I + have a little repaired my irreparable affairs, away I shall march, + either to campaign in Spain, or back again to the East, where I can at + least have cloudless skies and a cessation from impertinence. + + I trust to meet, or see you, in town, or at Newstead, whenever you can + make it convenient--I suppose you are in love and in poetry as usual. + That husband, H. Drury, has never written to me, albeit I have sent + him more than one letter;--but I dare say the poor man has a family, + and of course all his cares are confined to his circle. + + "For children fresh expenses yet, + And Dicky now for school is fit." + + WARTON. [1] + + If you see him, tell him I have a letter for him from Tucker, a + regimental chirurgeon and friend of his, who prescribed for me,---- + and is a very worthy man, but too fond of hard words. I should be too + late for a speech-day, or I should probably go down to Harrow. I + regretted very much in Greece having omitted to carry the _Anthology_ + with me--I mean Bland and Merivale's.--What has _Sir Edgar_ done? And + the _Imitations and Translations_--where are they? I suppose you don't + mean to let the public off so easily, but charge them home with a + quarto. For me, I am "sick of fops, and poesy, and prate," and shall + leave the "whole Castalian state" to Bufo, or any body else. [2] But + you are a sentimental and sensibilitous person, and will rhyme to the + end of the chapter. Howbeit, I have written some 4000 lines, of one + kind or another, on my travels. + + I need not repeat that I shall be happy to see you. I shall be in town + about the 8th, at Dorant's Hotel, in Albemarle Street, and proceed in + a few days to Notts., and thence to Rochdale on business. + + I am, here and there, yours, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: Warton's 'Progress of Discontent', lines 109, 110.] + + +[Footnote 2: + + "But sick of fops, and poetry, and prate, + To Bufo left the whole Castalian state." + +Pope, 'Prologue to the Satires', lines 229, 230.] + + + + + +156.--To Henry Drury. + + + 'Volage' frigate, off Ushant, July 17, 1811. + + + My Dear Drury,--After two years' absence (on the 2d) and some odd days, + I am approaching your country. The day of our arrival you will see by + the outside date of my letter. At present, we are becalmed comfortably, + close to Brest Harbour;--I have never been so near it since I left Duck + Puddle. [1] We left Malta thirty-four days ago, and have had a tedious + passage of it. You will either see or hear from or of me, soon after the + receipt of this, as I pass through town to repair my irreparable + affairs; and thence I want to go to Notts. and raise rents, and to + Lanes. and sell collieries, and back to London and pay debts,--for it + seems I shall neither have coals nor comfort till I go down to Rochdale + in person. + + I have brought home some marbles for Hobhouse;--for myself, four + ancient Athenian skulls, [2] dug out of sarcophagi--a phial of Attic + hemlock [3]--four live tortoises--a greyhound (died on the + passage)--two live Greek servants, one an Athenian, t'other a _Yaniote_, + who can speak nothing but Romaic and Italian--and _myself_, as Moses in + the _Vicar of Wakefield_ says, _slily_ [4] and I may say it too, for I + have as little cause to boast of my expedition as he had of his to the + fair. + + I wrote to you from the Cyanean Rocks to tell you I had swam from Sestos + to Abydos--have you received my letter? Hobhouse went to England to fish + up his _Miscellany,_ which foundered (so he tells me) in the Gulph of + Lethe. I daresay it capsized with the vile goods of his contributory + friends, for his own share was very portable. However, I hope he will + either weigh up or set sail with a fresh cargo, and a luckier vessel. + Hodgson, I suppose, is four deep by this time. What would he have given + to have seen, like me, the _real Parnassus,_ where I robbed the Bishop + of Chrisso of a book of geography!--but this I only call plagiarism, as + it was done within an hour's ride of Delphi. + + + +[Footnote 1: The swimming-bath at Harrow.] + + +[Footnote 2: Given afterwards to Sir Walter Scott.] + + +[Footnote 3: At present in the possession of Mr. Murray.] + + +[Footnote 4: + + "'Welcome, welcome, Moses! Well, my boy, what have you brought us from + the fair?' + + 'I have brought you _myself_,' cried Moses, with a sly look, and + resting the box on the dresser." + +'Vicar of Wakefield', ch. xii.] + + + + + +157.-To his Mother. + + + Reddish's Hotel, St. James's Street, London, July 23, 1811. + + + MY DEAR MADAM,--I am only detained by Mr. Hanson to sign some copyhold + papers, and will give you timely notice of my approach. It is with + great reluctance I remain in town. [1] I shall pay a short visit as we + go on to Lancashire on Rochdale business. I shall attend to your + directions, of course, and am, with great respect, yours ever, + + BYRON. + + P.S.--You will consider Newstead as your house, not mine; and me only + as a visiter. + + + + +[Footnote 1: On his way to London, Byron paid a visit, at Sittingbourne, +to Hobhouse, who was with his Militia Regiment, and under orders for +Ireland. He also stayed with H. Drury, at Harrow, for two or three days.] + + + + + +158.--To William Miller. [1] + + + Reddish's Hotel, July 30th, 1811. + + + SIR,--I am perfectly aware of the justice of your remarks, and am + convinced that, if ever the poem is published, the same objections + will be made in much stronger terms. But as it was intended to be a + poem on _Ariosto's plan,_ that _is_ to _say_ on _no plan_ at all, and, + as is usual in similar cases, having a predilection for the worst + passages, I shall retain those parts, though I cannot venture to + defend them. Under these circumstances I regret that you decline the + publication, on my own account, as I think the book would have done + better in your hands; the pecuniary part, you know, I have nothing to + do with. But I can perfectly conceive, and indeed _approve_ your + reasons, and assure you my sensations are not _Archiepiscopal_ [2] + enough as yet to regard the rejection of my Homilies. + + I am, Sir, your very obed't humble serv't, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: William Miller (1769-1844), son of Thomas Miller, +bookseller, of Bungay (see Beloe's 'Sexagenarian,' 2nd edit., vol. ii. +pp. 253, 254), served his apprenticeship in Hookham's publishing house. +In 1790 he set up for himself as a bookselling publisher in Bond Street. +From 1804 onwards his place of business was at 50, Albemarle Street. But +in September, 1812, he sold his stock, copyrights, good will, and lease +to John Murray, and retired to a country farm in Hertfordshire. He +declined to publish 'Childe Harold,' on the grounds that it contained +"sceptical stanzas," and attacked Lord Elgin as a plunderer. But on the +latter point, Byron, who was in serious earnest, was not likely to give +way. In Beloe's 'Sexagenarian' (vol. ii. pp. 270, 271), Miller is +described as "the splendid bookseller," who "was enabled to retire to +tranquillity and independence long before the decline of life, or +infirmities of age, rendered it necessary to do so. He was highly +respectable, but could drive a hard bargain with a poor author, as well +as any of his fraternity." + + +[Footnote 2: Alluding to Gil Blas and the Archbishop of Grenada (see +page 121 [Letter 67], [Foot]note 3 [4]).] + + + + + +159.--To John M. B. Pigot. + + + Newport Pagnell, August 2, 1811. + + + MY DEAR DOCTOR,--My poor mother died yesterday! and I am on my way + from town to attend her to the family vault. I heard _one_ day of her + illness, the _next_ of her death. [1] Thank God her last moments were + most tranquil. I am told she was in little pain, and not aware of her + situation. I now feel the truth of Mr. Gray's observation, "That we + can only have _one_ mother." [2] Peace be with her! I have to thank + you for your expressions of regard; and as in six weeks I shall be in + Lancashire on business, I may extend to Liverpool and Chester,--at + least I shall endeavour. + + If it will be any satisfaction, I have to inform you that in November + next the Editor of the _Scourge_ [3] will be tried for two different + libels on the late Mrs. B. and myself (the decease of Mrs. B. makes no + difference in the proceedings); and as he is guilty, by his very + foolish and unfounded assertion of a breach of privilege, he will be + prosecuted with the utmost rigour. + + I inform you of this, as you seem interested in the affair, which is + now in the hands of the Attorney-general. + + I shall remain at Newstead the greater part of this month, where I + shall be happy to hear from you, after my two years' absence in the + East. + + I am, dear Pigot, yours very truly, + + BYRON. + + + +[Footnote 1: On the night after his arrival at Newstead, Mrs. Byron's +maid, passing the room where the body lay, heard a heavy sigh from +within. Entering the room, she found Byron sitting in the dark beside +the bed. When she spoke to him, he burst into tears, and exclaimed, + + "Oh, Mrs. By, I had but one friend in the world, and she is gone!" + +On the day of the funeral he refused to follow the corpse to the grave, +but watched the procession move away from the door of Newstead; then, +turning to Rushton, bade him bring the gloves, and began his usual +sparring exercise. Only his silence, abstraction, and unusual violence +betrayed to his antagonist, says Moore ('Life', p. 128), the state of +his feelings.] + + +[Footnote 2: + + "I had discovered a thing very little known, which is, that in one's + whole life one can never have more than a single mother. You may think + this is obvious, and (what you call) a trite observation. You are a + green gosling! I was at the same age (very near) as wise as you, and + yet I never discovered this (with full evidence and conviction, I + mean) till it was too late. It is thirteen years ago, ... and every + day I live it sinks deeper into my heart." + +Gray to Nicholls, 'Works', vol. i. p. 482.] + + +[Footnote 3: One of Byron's first acts on returning to England was to +buy a copy of the 'Scourge', In Ridgway's bill for books supplied from +Piccadilly to Byron on July 24, 1811, is a copy of the 'Scourge' at +2's'. 6'd'. Hewson Clarke (1787-1832) was entered at Emanuel College, +Cambridge, apparently as a sizar, in 1806. Obliged to leave the +University before he had taken his degree, he supported himself in +London by his pen. He wrote two historical works--a continuation of +Hume's 'History of England' (1832), and an 'Impartial History of the +Naval, etc., Events in Europe' from the French Revolution to the Peace +of 1815. It was, however, as a journalist that he came into collision +with Byron. In the 'Satirist', a monthly magazine, illustrated with +coloured cartoons, three attacks were made on Byron, which he attributed +to Clarke: + +(1) October, 1807 (vol. i pp. 77-81), a review of 'Hours of Idleness'; + +(2) June, 1808 (vol. ii p. 368), verses on "Lord B--n to his Bear. To +the tune of 'Lo chin y gair;'" + +(3) August, 1808 (vol. iii pp. 78-86), a review of 'Poems Original and +Translated'. + +Byron's reply was the passage in 'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers' +(lines 973-980; see also the notes), where Clarke is described as + + "A would-be satirist, a hired Buffoon, + A monthly scribbler of some low Lampoon," etc.; + +and also the Postscript to the second edition (see 'Poems', vol. i. p. +382). In the 'Scourge' for March, 1811 (vol. i. pp. 191, 'et seqq'.), +appeared an article headed "Lord Byron," in which the alleged libel +occurred. + + "We are unacquainted," says the article, "with any act of cowardice + that can be compared with that of keeping a libel 'ready cut and + dried' till some favourable opportunity enable its author to disperse + it without the hazard of personal responsibility, and under + circumstances which deprive the injured party of every means of + reparation ... He confined the knowledge of his lampoon, therefore, to + the circle of his own immediate friends, and left it to be given to + the public as soon as he should have bid adieu to the shores of + Britain. Whether his voyage was in reality no further than to Paris, + in search of the proofs of his own legitimacy, or, as he asserts, to + 'Afric's coasts, and Calpe's adverse height', was of little + consequence to Mr. Clarke, who felt that to recriminate during his + absence would be unworthy of his character ... Considering the two + parties not as writers, but as men, Mr. Clarke might confidently + appeal to the knowledge and opinion of the whole university; but a + character like his disdains comparison with that of his noble + calumniator; a temper unruffled by malignant passions, a mind superior + to vicissitude, are gifts for which the pride of doubtful birth, and + the temporary possession of Newstead Abbey are contemptible + equivalents ... + + "It may be reasonably asked whether to be a denizen of + Berwick-upon-Tweed be more disgraceful than to be the illegitimate + descendant of a murderer; whether to labour in an honourable + profession for the peace and competence of maturer age be less worthy + of praise than to waste the property of others in vulgar debauchery; + whether to be the offspring of parents whose only crime is their want + of title, be not as honourable as to be the son of a profligate + father, and a mother whose days and nights are spent in the delirium + of drunkenness; and, finally, whether to deserve the kindness of his + own college, to obtain its prizes, and to prepare himself for any + examination that might entitle him to share the highest honours which + the university can bestow, be less indicative of talent and virtue + than to be held up to the derision and contempt of his + fellow-students, as a scribbler of doggerel and a bear-leader; to be + hated for malignity of temper and repulsiveness of manners, and + shunned by every man who did not want to be considered a profligate + without wit, and trifling without elegance. ... We ... shall neither + expose the infamy of his uncle, the indiscretions of his mother, nor + his personal follies and embarrassments. But let him not again obtrude + himself on our attention as a moralist, etc." + +The Attorney-General, Sir Vicary Gibbs, gave his opinion against legal +proceedings, on the two grounds that a considerable time had elapsed +since the publication, and Byron himself had provoked the attack.] + + + + + +160.--To John Hanson. + + + Newstead Abbey, August 4th, 1811. + + + MY DEAR SIR,--The _Earl_ of Huntley and the Lady _Jean_ Stewart, + daughter of James 1st, of Scotland were the progenitors of Mrs. Byron. + I think it would be as well to be correct in the statement. Every + thing is doing that can be done, plainly yet decently, for the + interment. + + When you favour me with your company, be kind enough to bring down my + carriage from Messrs. Baxter's & Co., Long Acre. I have written to + them, and beg you will come down in it, as I cannot travel + conveniently or properly without it. I trust that the decease of Mrs. + B. will not interrupt the prosecution of the Editor of the Magazine, + less for the mere punishment of the rascal, than to set the question + at rest, which, with the ignorant & weak-minded, might leave a wrong + impression. I will have no stain on the Memory of my Mother; with a + very large portion of foibles and irritability, she was without a + _vice_ (and in these days that is much). The laws of my country shall + do her and me justice in the first instance; but, if they were + deficient, the laws of modern Honour should decide. Cost what it may, + Gold or blood, I will pursue to the last the cowardly calumniator of + an absent man and a defenceless woman. + + The effects of the deceased are sealed and untouched. I have sent for + her agent, Mr. Bolton, to ascertain the proper steps and nothing shall + be done precipitately. I understand her jewels and clothes are of + considerable value. I shall write to you again soon, and in the + meantime, with my most particular remembrance to Mrs. Hanson, my + regards to Charles, and my _respects_ to the young ladies, I am, Dear + Sir, + + Your very sincere and obliged servant, + + BYRON. + + + + + +161.--To Scrope Berdmore Davies. + + + Newstead Abbey, August 7, 1811. + + + MY DEAREST DAVIES,--Some curse hangs over me and mine. My mother lies + a corpse in this house; one of my best friends is drowned in a ditch. + [1] What can I say, or think, or do? I received a letter from him the + day before yesterday. My dear Scrope, if you can spare a moment, do + come down to me--I want a friend. Matthews's last letter was written + on _Friday._--on Saturday he was not. In ability, who was like + Matthews? How did we all shrink before him? You do me but justice in + saying, I would have risked my paltry existence to have preserved his. + This very evening did I mean to write, inviting him, as I invite you, + my very dear friend, to visit me. God forgive----for his apathy! What + will our poor Hobhouse feel? His letters breathe but of Matthews. Come + to me, Scrope, I am almost desolate--left almost alone in the world + [2]--I had but you, and H., and M., and let me enjoy the survivors + whilst I can. Poor M., in his letter of Friday, speaks of his intended + contest for Cambridge, and a speedy journey to London. Write or come, + but come if you can, or one or both. + + Yours ever. + + + +[Footnote 1: Charles Skinner Matthews (see page 150 [Letter 84], +[Foot]note 3 [2]).] + + +[Footnote 2: In 1811 Byron had lost, besides his mother and Matthews +(August), his Harrow friend Wingfield (see page 180, note 1), Hargreaves +Hanson (see page 54 [Letter 18], [Foot]note 1), and Edleston (see page +130 [Letter 74], [Foot]note 3 [2]).] + + + + + +162.--To R. C. Dallas. + + + Newstead Abbey, Notts., August 12, 1811. + + + 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.--The best + friend of my friend Hobhouse, 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 + school-fellow, Wingfield, at Coimbra--within a month; and whilst I had + heard from _all three,_ but not seen _one._ Matthews wrote to me the + very day before his death; and though I feel for his fate, I am still + more anxious for Hobhouse, who, I very much fear, will hardly retain + his senses: his letters to me since the event have been most + incoherent. [1] 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 received a letter from you, which my late occupations prevented me + from duly noticing. [2]--I hope your friends and family will long hold + together. I shall be glad to hear from you, on business, on + commonplace, or any thing, or nothing--but death--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.--I shall be happy to hear from you, and am, + + Yours, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: + + "Just," writes Hobhouse to Byron, in an undated letter from Dover, "as + I was preparing to condole with you on your severe misfortune, an + event has taken place, the details of which you will find in the + enclosed letter from S. Davies. I am totally unable to say one word on + the subject. He was my oldest friend, and, though quite unworthy of + his attachment, I believe that I was an object of his regard. + + "I now fear that I have not been sufficiently at all times just and + kind to him. Return me this fatal letter, and pray add, if it is but + one line, a few words of your own." + +A second letter, dated August 8, 1811, is as follows:-- + + "MY DEAR BYRON,--To-morrow morning we sail for Cork. It is with + difficulty I bring myself to talk of my paltry concerns, but I cannot + refuse giving you such information as may enable me to hear from one + of the friends that I have still left. Pray do give me a line; nothing + is more selfish than sorrow. His great and unrivalled talents were + observable by all, his kindness was known to his friends. You + recollect how affectionately he shook my hand at parting. It was the + last time you ever saw him--did you think it would be the last? But + three days before his death he told me in a letter that he had heard + from you. On Friday he wrote to me again, and on Saturday--alas, alas! + we are not stocks or stones,--every word of our friend Davies' letter + still pierces me to the soul--such a man and such a death! I would + that he had not been so minute in his horrid details. Oh, my dear + Byron, do write to me; I am very, very sick at heart indeed, and, + after various efforts to write upon my own concerns, I still revert to + the same melancholy subject. I wrote to Cawthorn to-day, but knew not + what I said to him; half my incitement to finish that task is for ever + gone. I can neither have his assistance during my labour, his comfort + if I should fail, nor his congratulation if I should succeed. Forgive + me, I do not forget you--but I cannot but remember him. + + Ever your obliged and faithful, JOHN C. HOBHOUSE." + +Byron had apparently suggested that Hobhouse should write some brief +record of his friend. Hobhouse replies from Enniscorthy, September 13, +1811:-- + + "The melancholy subject of your last, in spite of every effort, + perpetually recurs to me. It is indeed a hard science to forget, + though I cannot but think that it is the wisest and indeed the only + remedy for grief. I should be quite incapable every way of doing what + you mention, and I could not even set about such a melancholy task + with spirit or prospect of success. The thing may be better done by a + person less interested than myself in so cruel a catastrophe. Whatever + you say in your book will be well said, and do credit both to your + heart and head; how much would it have gratified him who shall ne'er + hear it!"] + + +[Footnote 2: Dallas had written on July 29 to protest, on six grounds +which he gives ('Correspondence of Lord Byron', pp. 151-153), "against +the sceptical stanzas" of 'Childe Harold'.] + + + + + +163.--To----Bolton. + + Newstead Abbey, August 12, 1811. + + Sir,--I enclose a rough draught of my intended will which I beg to + have drawn up as soon as possible, in the firmest manner. The + alterations are principally made in consequence of the death of Mrs. + Byron. I have only to request that it may be got ready in a short + time, and have the honour to be, + + Your most obedient, humble servant, + + BYRON. + + + + + +163. To----Bolton. + + + Newstead Abbey, August 12, 1811. + + + DIRECTIONS FOR THE CONTENTS OF A WILL TO BE DRAWN UP IMMEDIATELY. + + The estate of Newstead to be entailed (subject to certain deductions) + on George Anson Byron, heir-at-law, or whoever may be the heir-at-law + on the death of Lord B. The Rochdale property to be sold in part or + the whole, according to the debts and legacies of the present Lord B. + + To Nicolo Giraud of Athens, subject of France, but born in Greece, the + sum of seven thousand pounds sterling, to be paid from the sale of + such parts of Rochdale, Newstead, or elsewhere, as may enable the said + Nicolo Giraud (resident at Athens and Malta in the year 1810) to + receive the above sum on his attaining the age of twenty-one years. + + To William Fletcher, Joseph Murray, and Demetrius Zograffo [1] (native + of Greece), servants, the sum of fifty pounds pr. ann. each, for their + natural lives. To Wm. Fletcher, the Mill at Newstead, on condition + that he payeth rent, but not subject to the caprice of the landlord. + To Rt. Rushton the sum of fifty pounds per ann. for life, and a + further sum of one thousand pounds on attaining the age of twenty-five + years. + + To Jn. Hanson, Esq. the sum of two thousand pounds sterling. + + The claims of S. B. Davies, Esq. to be satisfied on proving the amount + of the same. + + The body of Lord B. to be buried in the vault of the garden of + Newstead, without any ceremony or burial-service whatever, or any + inscription, save his name and age. His dog not to be removed from the + said vault. + + My library and furniture of every description to my friends Jn. Cam + Hobhouse, Esq., and S. B. Davies, Esq., my executors. In case of their + decease, the Rev. J. Becher, of Southwell, Notts., and R. C. Dallas, + Esq., of Mortlake, Surrey, to be executors. [2] + + The produce of the sale of Wymondham in Norfolk, and the late Mrs. + B.'s Scotch property, [3] to be appropriated in aid of the payment of + debts and legacies. + + This is the last will and testament of me, the Rt. Honble George + Gordon, Lord Byron, Baron Byron of Rochdale, in the county of + Lancaster.--I desire that my body may be buried in the vault of the + garden of Newstead, without any ceremony or burial-service whatever, + and that no inscription, save my name and age, be written on the tomb + or tablet; and it is my will that my faithful dog may not be removed + from the said vault. To the performance of this my particular desire, + I rely on the attention of my executors hereinafter named. + + ==It is submitted to Lord Byron whether this clause relative to the + funeral had not better be omitted. The substance of it can be given + in a letter from his Lordship to the executors, and accompany the + will; and the will may state that the funeral shall be performed in + such manner as his Lordship may by letter direct, and, in default of + any such letter, then at the discretion of his executors== [4]. + + It must stand. + + B. + + I do hereby specifically order and direct that all the claims of the + said S. B. Davies upon me shall be fully paid and satisfied as soon as + conveniently may be after my decease, on his proving {by vouchers, or + otherwise, to the satisfaction of my executors hereinafter named} [5] + the amount thereof, and the correctness of the same. + + ==If Mr, Davies has any unsettled claims upon Lord Byron, that + circumstance is a reason for his not being appointed executor; each + executor having an opportunity of paying himself his own debt + without consulting his co-executors.== + + So much the better--if possible, let him be an executor. + + B. + + + +[Footnote 1: + + "If the papers lie not (which they generally do), Demetrius Zograffo + of Athens is at the head of the Athenian part of the Greek + insurrection. He was my servant in 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, at + different intervals of those years (for I left him in Greece when I + went to Constantinople), and accompanied me to England in 1811: he + returned to Greece, spring, 1812. He was a clever, but not + _apparently_ an enterprising man; but circumstances make men. His two + sons (_then_ infants) were named Miltiades and Alcibiades: may the + omen be happy!" + +Byron's MS. Journal, quoted by Moore, 'Life', p. 131.] + + +[Footnote 2: In the clause enumerating the names and places of abode of +the executors, the solicitor had left blanks for the Christian names of +these gentlemen, and Lord Byron, having filled up all but that of +Dallas, writes in the margin, "I forget the Christian name of Dallas +--cut him out."] + + +[Footnote 3: On the death of Mrs. Byron, the sum of £4200, the remains +of the price of the estate of Gight were paid over to Byron by her +trustee.] + + +[Footnote 4: The passages printed ==thus== are suggestions made by the +solicitors.] + + +[Footnote 5: Over the words placed {between brackets}, Byron drew his pen.] + + + + + +164.--To----Bolton. + + + Newstead Abbey, August 16, 1811. + + + SIR,--I have answered the queries on the margin. I wish Mr. Davies's + claims to be most fully allowed, and, further, that he be one of my + executors. I wish the will to be made in a manner to prevent all + discussion, if possible, after my decease; and this I leave to you as + a professional gentleman. + + With regard to the few and simple directions for the disposal of my + _carcass_, I must have them implicitly fulfilled, as they will, at + least, prevent trouble and expense;--and (what would be of little + consequence to me, but may quiet the conscience of the survivors) the + garden is _consecrated_ ground. These directions are copied verbatim + from my former will; the alterations in other parts have arisen from + the death of Mrs. B. I have the honour to be, + + Your most obedient, humble servant, + + BYRON. + + +165.--To--Bolton. + +Newstead Abbey, August 20, 1811. + +Sir,--The witnesses shall be provided from amongst +my tenants, and I shall be happy to see you on any day +most convenient to yourself. I forgot to mention, that +it must be specified by codicil, or otherwise, that my +body is on no account to be removed from the vault +where I have directed it to be placed; and in case any +of my successors within the entail (from bigotry, or +otherwise) might think proper to remove the carcass, +such proceeding shall be attended by forfeiture of the +estate, which in such case shall go to my sister, the +Hon'ble Augusta Leigh and her heirs on similar conditions. +I have the honour to be, sir, + +Your very obedient, humble servant, + +BYRON. + + + + + +166.--To the Hon. Augusta Leigh. + + + Newstead Abbey, August 21st, 1811. + + + My Dear Sister,--I ought to have answered your letter before, but when + did I ever do any-thing that I ought? + + I am losing my relatives & you are adding to the number of yours; but + which is best, God knows;--besides poor Mrs. Byron, I have been + deprived by death of two most particular friends within little more + than a month; but as all observations on such subjects are superfluous + and unavailing, I leave the dead to their rest, and return to the dull + business of life, which however presents nothing very pleasant to me + either in prospect or retrospection. + + I hear you have been increasing his Majesty's Subjects, which in these + times of War and tribulation is really patriotic. Notwithstanding + Malthus [1] tells us that, were it not for Battle, Murder, and Sudden + death, we should be overstocked, I think we have latterly had a + redundance of these national benefits, and therefore I give you all + credit for your matronly behaviour. + + I believe you know that for upwards of two years I have been rambling + round the Archipelago, and am returned just in time to know that I + might as well have staid away for any good I ever have done, or am + likely to do at home, and so, as soon as I have somewhat _repaired_ my + _irreparable_ affairs I shall een go abroad again, for I am heartily + sick of your climate and every thing it _rains_ upon, always save and + except _yourself_ as in _duty bound_. + + I should be glad to see you here (as I think you have never seen the + place) if you could make it convenient. Murray is still like a Rock, + and will probably outlast some six Lords Byron, though in his 75th + Autumn. I took him with me to Portugal & sent him round by sea to + Gibraltar whilst I rode through the Interior of Spain, which was then + (1809) accessible. + + You say you have much to communicate to me, let us have it by all + means, as I am utterly at a loss to guess; whatever it may be it will + meet with due attention. + + Your trusty and well beloved cousin F. Howard [2] is married to a Miss + Somebody, I wish him joy on your account, and on his own, though + speaking generally I do not affect that Brood. + + By the bye, I shall marry, if I can find any thing inclined to barter + money for rank within six months; after which I shall return to my + friends the Turks. + + In the interim I am, Dear Madam, + + [Signature cut out.] + + + +[Footnote 1: The Rev. T. R. Malthus (1766-1834) published, in 1798, his +'Essay on the Principle of Population'.] + + +[Footnote 2: The Hon. Frederick Howard (see page 55 [Letter 19], +[Foot]note 1) married, August 6, 1811, Frances Susan Lambton, only +daughter of William Lambton, formerly M.P. for Durham.] + + + + + +167.--To R. C. Dallas. + + + Newstead, August 21, 1811. + + + Your letter gives me credit for more acute feelings than I possess; + for though I feel tolerably miserable, yet I am at the same time + subject to a kind of hysterical merriment, or rather laughter without + merriment, which I can neither account for nor conquer, and yet I do + not feel relieved by it; but an indifferent person would think me in + excellent spirits. "We must forget these things," and have recourse to + our old selfish comforts, or rather comfortable selfishness. + + I do not think I shall return to London immediately, and shall + therefore accept freely what is offered courteously--your mediation + between me and Murray. [1] I don't think my name will answer the + purpose, and you must be aware that my plaguy Satire will bring the + north and south Grub Streets down upon the _Pilgrimage_;--but, + nevertheless, if Murray makes a point of it, and you coincide with + him, I will do it daringly; so let it be entitled "_By the author of + English Bards and Scotch Reviewers." My remarks on the Romaic, etc., + once intended to accompany the _Hints from Horace_, shall go along + with the other, as being indeed more appropriate; also the smaller + poems now in my possession, with a few selected from those published + in Hobhouse's _Miscellany_. I have found amongst my poor mother's + papers all my letters from the East, and one in particular of some + length from Albania. From this, if necessary, I can work up a note or + two on that subject. As I kept no journal, the letters written on the + spot are the best. But of this anon, when we have definitively + arranged. + + Has Murray shown the work to any one? He may--but I will have no + traps for applause. Of course there are little things I would wish to + alter, and perhaps the two stanzas of a buffooning cast on London's + Sunday are as well left out. I much wish to avoid identifying Childe + Harold's character with mine, and that, in sooth, is my second + objection to my name appearing in the title-page. When you have made + arrangements as to time, size, type, etc., favour me with a reply. I + am giving you an universe of trouble, which thanks cannot atone for. I + made a kind of prose apology for my scepticism at the head of the MS., + which, on recollection, is so much more like an attack than a defence, + that, haply, it might better be omitted--perpend, pronounce. After + all, I fear Murray will be in a scrape with the orthodox; but I cannot + help it, though I wish him well through it. As for me, "I have supped + full of criticism," and I don't think that the "most dismal treatise" + will stir and rouse my "fell of hair" till "Birnam wood do come to + Dunsinane." + + I shall continue to write at intervals, and hope you will pay me in + kind. How does Pratt get on, or rather get off, Joe Blackett's + posthumous stock? You killed that poor man amongst you, in spite of + your Ionian friend [2] and myself, who would have saved him from + Pratt, poetry, present poverty, and posthumous oblivion. Cruel + patronage! to ruin a man at his calling; but then he is a divine + subject for subscription and biography; and Pratt, who makes the most + of his dedications, has inscribed the volume to no less than five + families of distinction. + + I am sorry you don't like Harry White: [3] with a great deal of cant, + which in him was sincere (indeed it killed him as you killed Joe + Blackett), certes there is poesy and genius. I don't say this on + account of my simile and rhymes; but surely he was beyond all the + Bloomfields [4] and Blacketts, and their collateral cobblers, whom + Lofft [5] and Pratt have or may kidnap from their calling into the + service of the trade. You must excuse my flippancy, for I am writing I + know not what, to escape from myself. Hobhouse is gone to Ireland. Mr. + Davies has been here on his way to Harrowgate. + + You did not know Matthews: he was a man of the most astonishing + powers, as he sufficiently proved at Cambridge, by carrying off more + prizes and fellowships, against the ablest candidates, than any other + graduate on record; but a most decided atheist, indeed noxiously so, + for he proclaimed his principles in all societies. I knew him well, + and feel a loss not easily to be supplied to myself--to Hobhouse + never. Let me hear from you, and + + Believe me, etc. + + + +[Footnote 1: In 1793 John Murray the first (born 1745) died, leaving a +widow, two daughters, and one son, John Murray the second (1778-1843), +then a boy of fifteen. The bookselling and publishing business at 32, +Fleet Street, which the first John Murray had purchased in 1768 from +William Sandby, was for two years carried on by the chief assistant, +Samuel Highley. From 1795, when John Murray the second joined it, it was +conducted as a partnership, under the title of Murray and Highley. But +in 1803 John Murray cancelled the partnership, and started for himself +at 32, Fleet Street. Relieved from a timorous partner, he at once +displayed his shrewdness, energy, and literary enthusiasm. He rapidly +became, as Byron called him, "the [Greek (transliterated): Anax] of +Publishers," or, as he was nicknamed, "The Emperor of the West." In +February, 1809, he had launched the 'Quarterly Review'; in March, 1812, +he published 'Childe Harold'; in the following September, he moved to +50, Albemarle Street, the lease of which, with the stock, good will, and +copyrights, he purchased from William Miller (see page 319 [Letter 158], +[Foot]note 2 [1]). The remarkable position which the second John Murray +created for himself, has two aspects, one commercial, the other social. +He was not only the publisher, but the friend, of the most distinguished +men of the day; and he was both by reason, partly of his honourable +character, partly of his personal attractiveness. Sir Walter Scott, +writing, October 30, 1828, to Lockhart, speaks of Murray in words which +sum up his character: + + "By all means do what the Emperor says. He is what Emperor Nap was + not, 'much a gentleman.'" + +Murray was the first to divorce the business of publishing from that of +selling books; the first to see, as he wrote to Sir Walter Scott, +October 13, 1825 ('A Publisher and his Friends', vol. ii. p. 199), that + + "the business of a publishing bookseller is not in his shop, or even + his connection, but in his brains." + +Quick-tempered and warm-hearted, he was endowed with a strong sense of +humour, and a gift of felicitous expression, which made him at once an +admirable talker and an excellent letter-writer, and enabled him to hold +his own among the noted wits and brilliant men of letters whom he +gathered under his roof. A man of ideas more than a man of business, of +enterprise rather than of calculation, he was always on the watch for +new writers and new openings. But his imagination and impulsive +temperament were checked by his fine taste for sound literature, and +controlled by high principles in matters of trade. Thus he was saved +from those disastrous speculations which involved Scott in ruin, and +might otherwise have appealed with fatal force to his own sanguine +nature. His close relations with Byron, which began in 1811, and lasted +till the poet's death, are set forth in the numerous letters which +follow, and were never embittered even when he refused to continue the +publication of 'Don Juan'. Their names are inseparably associated in the +history of literature. A generous paymaster, he was also an hospitable +host. Round him gathers much of the literary history of a half-century +which includes such names as those of Scott, Byron, Southey, Coleridge, +Hallam, Milman, Mahon, Carlyle, Grote, Benjamin Disraeli, Sir Robert +Peel, Canning, and Mr. Gladstone. His literary dinners were famous, and +his drawing-room was the rallying-place of all that was witty and +agreeable in society. At the same time, he was the acknowledged head of +the publishing trade, unswerving in the rectitude of his commercial +dealings, and in the maintenance of the honourable traditions of his +most distinguished predecessors, as well as sincere in his enthusiasm +for English letters.] + + +[Footnote 2: Walter Rodwell Wright, author of 'Horae Ionicae, a Poem +descriptive of the Ionian Islands, and part of the adjacent coast of +Greece,' (1809), had been Consul-General of the Seven Islands. On his +return he became Recorder of Bury St. Edmund's. He was subsequently +President of the Court of Appeals in Malta, where he died in 1826. (See +Byron's address to him in 'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers', lines +877-880.)] + + +[Footnote 3: Henry Kirke White (1785-1806) published 'Clifton Grove' and +other poems in 1803. He died at Cambridge in 1806. His 'Remains' were +published by Southey in 1807. (See 'English Bards', and Scotch +Reviewers', lines 831-848, and note 2.)] + + +[Footnote 4: The three brothers, George Bloomfield, a shoemaker, +Nathaniel, a tailor, and Robert, also a shoemaker, were the sons of a +tailor at Honington, in Suffolk, whose wife kept the village school. +(For further details as to George and Nathaniel, see 'English Bards, and +Scotch Reviewers', lines 765-798, and 'notes'.) + +Robert Bloomfield (1766-1823) achieved a success with his 'Farmer's Boy' +(1800), of which thousands of copies were sold in England, and which was +translated into French and Italian. But however creditable the lines may +have been to the author, Byron's opinion of the merits of the poet was +the true one. Bloomfield's subsequent volumes, of which there were +seven, were inferior to 'The Farmer's Boy'. 'Good Tidings, or News from +the Farm' (1804), is perhaps the best known. A collected edition of +Bloomfield's 'Works' was published in 1824.] + + +[Footnote 5: Capel Lofft (1751-1824), educated at Eton and Cambridge, +was called to the Bar in 1775. Succeeding in 1781 to the family estates +near Bury St. Edmund's, he lived for some years at Troston Hall. Crabb +Robinson ('Diary', vol. i. p. 29) describes him, in 1795, as + + "a gentleman of good family and estate--an author on an infinity of + subjects; his books were on Law, History, Poetry, Antiquities, + Divinity, and Politics. He was then an acting magistrate, having + abandoned the profession of the Bar. He was one of the numerous + answerers of Burke; and, in spite of a feeble voice and other + disadvantages, was an eloquent speaker." + +His boyish figure, slovenly dress, and involved sentences were well +known on the platforms where he advocated parliamentary reform. On May +17, 1784, Johnson dined at Mr. Dilly's. Among the guests was + + "Mr. Capel Lofft, who, though a most zealous Whig, has a mind so full + of learning and knowledge, and so much in exercise in various + exertions, and withal so much liberality, that the stupendous powers + of the literary Goliath, though they did not frighten this little + David of popular spirit, could not but excite his admiration." + +Lofft held strong opinions in favour of the French Revolution, which he +admired. He, "Godwin, and Thelwall are the only three persons I know +(except Hazlitt) who grieve at the late events;" so writes Crabb +Robinson, after the battle of Waterloo ('Diary', vol. i. p. 491). He +published numerous works on law and politics, besides four volumes of +poetry: 'The Praises of Poetry, a Poem' (1775); 'Eudosia, or a Poem on +the Universe' (1781); 'The first and second Georgics of Virgil' (in +blank verse, 1803); 'Laura, or an Anthology of Sonnets' (1814). He also +edited Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. In November, 1798, Lofft read the +manuscript of 'The Farmer's Boy', written by Robert Bloomfield in a +London garret, where he worked as a shoemaker. Interested in the poem +and the Suffolk poet, Lofft had it published in 1800, with cuts by +Bewick, and a preface by himself.] + + + + + +168.--To Francis Hodgson. + + + Newstead Abbey, August 22, 1811. + + + You may have heard of the sudden death of my mother, and poor + Matthews, which, with that of Wingfield (of which I was not fully + aware till just before I left town, and indeed hardly believed it,) + has made a sad chasm in my connections. 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 wave the subject,--the dead + are at rest, and none but the dead can be so. + + You will feel for poor Hobhouse,--Matthews was the "god of his + idolatry;" and if intellect could exalt a man above his fellows, no + one could refuse him preeminence. I knew him most intimately, and + valued him proportionably; but I am recurring--so let us talk of life + and the living. + + If you should feel a disposition to come here, you will find "beef and + a sea-coal fire," and not ungenerous wine. Whether Otway's two other + requisites for an Englishman or not, I cannot tell, but probably one + of them [1].--Let me know when I may expect you, that I may tell you + when I go and when return. I have not yet been to Lancs. Davies has + been here, and has invited me to Cambridge for a week in October, so + that, peradventure, we may encounter glass to glass. His gaiety (death + cannot mar it) has done me service; but, after all, ours was a hollow + laughter. + + You will write to me? I am solitary, and I never felt solitude irksome + before. Your anxiety about the critique on----'s book is amusing; as + it was anonymous, certes it was of little consequence: I wish it had + produced a little more confusion, being a lover of literary malice. + Are you doing nothing? writing nothing? printing nothing? why not your + Satire on Methodism? the subject (supposing the public to be blind to + merit) would do wonders. Besides, it would be as well for a destined + deacon to prove his orthodoxy.--It really would give me pleasure to + see you properly appreciated. I say _really_, as, being an author, my + humanity might be suspected. + + Believe me, dear H., yours always. + + + +[Footnote 1: + + "Give but an Englishman his whore and ease, + Beef and a sea-coal fire, he's yours for ever." + +'Venice Preserved', act ii. sc. 3] + + + + + +APPENDIX I. + +REVIEW OF WORDSWORTH'S POEMS, + +2 VOLS. 1807. + +(From 'Monthly Literary Recreations' for July, 1807.) + +The volumes before us are by the author of Lyric Ballads, a collection +which has not undeservedly met with a considerable share of public +applause. The characteristics of Mr. Wordsworth's muse are simple and +flowing, though occasionally inharmonious verse; strong, and sometimes +irresistible appeals to the feelings, with unexceptionable sentiments. +Though the present work may not equal his former efforts, many of the +poems possess a native elegance, natural and unaffected, totally devoid +of the tinsel embellishments and abstract hyperboles of several +contemporary sonneteers. The last sonnet in the first volume, p. 152, is +perhaps the best, without any novelty in the sentiments, which we hope +are common to every Briton at the present crisis; the force and +expression is that of a genuine poet, feeling as he writes-- + + Another year! another deadly blow! + Another mighty empire overthrown! + And we are left, or shall be left, alone-- + The last that dares to struggle with the foe. + 'Tis well!--from this day forward we shall know + That in ourselves our safety must be sought, + That by our own right-hands it must be wrought; + That we must stand unprop'd, or be laid low. + O dastard! whom such foretaste doth not cheer! + We shall exult, if they who rule the land + Be men who hold its many blessings dear, + Wise, upright, valiant, not a venal band, + Who are to judge of danger which they fear, + And honour which they do not understand. + + +The song at the Feast of Brougham Castle, the Seven Sisters, the +Affliction of Margaret----of----, possess all the beauties, and few +of the defects, of the writer: the following lines from the last are in +his first style:-- + + "Ah! little doth the young one dream, + When full of play and childish cares, + What power hath e'en his wildest scream, + Heard by his mother unawares: + He knows it not, he cannot guess: + Years to a mother bring distress, + But do not make her love the less." + + +The pieces least worthy of the author are those entitled "Moods of my +own Mind." We certainly wish these "Moods" had been less frequent, or +not permitted to occupy a place near works which only make their +deformity more obvious; when Mr. W. ceases to please, it is by +"abandoning" his mind to the most commonplace ideas, at the same time +clothing them in language not simple, but puerile. What will any reader +or auditor, out of the nursery, say to such namby-pamby as "Lines +written at the Foot of Brother's Bridge"? + + "The cock is crowing, + The stream is flowing, + The small birds twitter, + The lake doth glitter, + The green field sleeps in the sun; + The oldest and youngest, + Are at work with the strongest; + The cattle are grazing, + Their heads never raising, + There are forty feeding like one. + Like an army defeated, + The snow hath retreated, + And now doth fare ill, + On the top of the bare hill." + +"The ploughboy is whooping anon, anon," etc., etc., is in the same +exquisite measure. This appears to us neither more nor less than an +imitation of such minstrelsy as soothed our cries in the cradle, with +the shrill ditty of + + "Hey de diddle, + The cat and the fiddle: + The cow jump'd over the moon, + The little dog laugh'd to see such sport, + And the dish ran away with the spoon." + + +On the whole, however, with the exception of the above, and other +INNOCENT odes of the same cast, we think these volumes display a genius +worthy of higher pursuits, and regret that Mr. W. confines his muse to +such trifling subjects. We trust his motto will be in future "Paulo +majora canamus." Many, with inferior abilities, have acquired a loftier +seat on Parnassus, merely by attempting strains in which Wordsworth is +more qualified to excel. + + + + + +APPENDIX II. + +ARTICLE FROM THE EDINBURGH REVIEW, + +FOR JANUARY, 1808. + + +'Hours of Idleness; a Series of Poems, original and translated.' +By George Gordon, Lord Byron, a Minor. 8vo, pp. 200. Newark, 1807. + + +The poesy of this young lord belongs to the class which neither gods nor +men are said to permit. Indeed, we do not recollect to have seen a +quantity of verse with so few deviations in either direction from that +exact standard. His effusions are spread over a dead flat, and can no +more get above or below the level, than if they were so much stagnant +water. As an extenuation of this offence, the noble author is peculiarly +forward in pleading minority. We have it in the title-page, and on the +very back of the volume; it follows his name like a favourite part of +his 'style'. Much stress is laid upon it in the preface; and the poems +are connected with this general statement of his case, by particular +dates, substantiating the age at which each was written. Now, the law +upon the point of minority we hold to be perfectly clear. It is a plea +available only to the defendant; no plaintiff can offer it as a +supplementary ground of action. Thus, if any suit could be brought +against Lord Byron, for the purpose of compelling him to put into court +a certain quantity of poetry, and if judgment were given against him, it +is highly probable that an exception would be taken, were he to deliver +'for poetry' the contents of this volume. To this he might plead +'minority'; but, as he now makes voluntary tender of the article, he +hath no right to sue, on that ground, for the price in good current +praise, should the goods be unmarketable. + +This is our view of the law on the point; and, we dare to say, so will +it be ruled. Perhaps, however, in reality, all that he tells us about +his youth is rather with a view to increase our wonder than to soften +our censures. He possibly means to say, "See how a minor can write! This +poem was actually composed by a young man of eighteen, and this by one +of only sixteen!" But, alas! We all remember the poetry of Cowley at +ten, and Pope at twelve; and so far from hearing, with any degree of +surprise, that very poor verses were written by a youth from his leaving +school to his leaving college, inclusive, we really believe this to be +the most common of all occurrences; that it happens in the life of nine +men in ten who are educated in England; and that the tenth man writes +better verse than Lord Byron. + +His other plea of privilege our author rather brings forward in order to +waive it. He certainly, however, does allude frequently to his family +and ancestry--sometimes in poetry, sometimes in notes; and, while giving +up his claim on the score of rank, he takes care to remember us of Dr. +Johnson's saying, that when a nobleman appears as an author, his merit +should be handsomely acknowledged. In truth, it is this consideration +only that induces us to give Lord Byron's poems a place in our review, +beside our desire to counsel him, that he do forthwith abandon poetry, +and turn his talents, which are considerable, and his opportunities, +which are great, to better account. + +With this view, we must beg leave seriously to assure him, that the mere +rhyming of the final syllable, even when accompanied by the presence of +a certain number of feet,--nay, although (which does not always happen) +those feet should scan regularly, and have been all counted accurately +upon the fingers,--is not the whole art of poetry. We would entreat him +to believe, that a certain portion of liveliness, somewhat of fancy, is +necessary to constitute a poem, and that a poem in the present day, to +be read, must contain at least one thought, either in a little degree +different from the ideas of former writers, or differently expressed. We +put it to his candour, whether there is any thing so deserving the name +of poetry in verses like the following, written in 1806; and whether, if +a youth of eighteen could say any thing so uninteresting to his +ancestors, a youth of nineteen should publish it;-- + + + "Shades of heroes, farewell! your descendant, departing + From the seat of his ancestors, bids you adieu! + Abroad or at home, your remembrance imparting + New courage, he'll think upon glory and you. + + "Though a tear dim his eye at this sad separation, + 'Tis nature, not fear, that excites his regret; + Far distant he goes, with the same emulation; + The fame of his fathers he ne'er can forget. + + "That fame, and that memory, still will he cherish; + He vows that he ne'er will disgrace your renown; + Like you will he live, or like you will he perish; + When decay'd, may he mingle his dust with your own." + + +Now, we positively do assert, that there is nothing better than these +stanzas in the whole compass of the noble minor's volume. + +Lord Byron should also have a care of attempting what the greatest poets +have done before him, for comparisons (as he must have had occasion to +see at his writing-master's) are odious. Gray's Ode on Eton College +should really have kept out the ten hobbling stanzas "On a distant View +of the Village and School of Harrow." + + + "Where fancy yet joys to retrace the resemblance + Of comrades, in friendship and mischief allied, + How welcome to me your ne'er-fading remembrance, + Which rests in the bosom, though hope is denied." + + +In like manner, the exquisite lines of Mr. Rogers, "On a Tear," might +have warned the noble author off those premises, and spared us a whole +dozen such stanzas as the following:-- + + + "Mild Charity's glow, to us mortals below, + Shows the soul from barbarity clear; + Compassion will melt where this virtue is felt, + And its dew is diffused in a Tear. + + "The man doom'd to sail with the blast of the gale, + Through billows Atlantic to steer, + As he bends o'er the wave, which may soon be his grave, + The green sparkles bright with a Tear." + + +And so of instances in which former poets have failed. Thus we do not +think Lord Byron was made for translating, during his nonage, "Adrian's +Address to his Soul," when Pope succeeded so indifferently in the +attempt. If our readers, however, are of another opinion, they may look +at it. + + + "Ah! gentle, fleeting, wavering sprite, + Friend and associate of this clay! + To what unknown region borne + Wilt thou now wing thy distant flight? + No more with wonted humour gay, + But pallid, cheerless, and forlorn." + + +However, be this as it may, we fear his translations and imitations are +great favourites with Lord Byron. We have them of all kinds, from +Anacreon to Ossian; and, viewing them as school exercises, they may +pass. Only, why print them after they have had their day and served +their turn? And why call the thing in p. 79 (see p. 380) a translation, +where 'two' words [Gr.]('thel_o legein') of the original are expanded +into four lines, and the other thing in p. 81 (see 'ibid'.) where [Gr.] +'mesonuktiais poth h_orais' is rendered by means of six hobbling verses? +As to his Ossianic poesy, we are not very good judges, being in truth, +so moderately skilled in that species of composition, that we should, in +all probability, be criticizing some bit of the genuine Macpherson +itself, were we to express our opinion of Lord Byron's rhapsodies. If, +then, the following beginning of a "Song of Bards" is by his lordship, +we venture to object to it, as far as we can comprehend it. "What form +rises on the roar of clouds? whose dark ghost gleams on the red stream +of tempests? His voice rolls on the thunder; 'tis Orla, the brown chief +of Oithona. He "was," etc. After detaining this "brown chief" some time, +the bards conclude by giving him their advice to "raise his fair locks;" +then to "spread them on the arch of the rainbow;" and to "smile through +the tears of the storm." Of this kind of thing there are no less than +_nine_ pages; and we can so far venture an opinion in their favour, that +they look very like Macpherson; and we are positive they are pretty +nearly as stupid and tiresome. + +It is a sort of privilege of poets to be egotists; but they should "use +it as not abusing it;" and particularly one who piques himself (though +indeed at the ripe age of nineteen) on being "an infant bard,"--("The +artless Helicon I boast is youth")--should either not know, or should +seem not to know, so much about his own ancestry. Besides a poem above +cited, on the family seat of the Byrons, we have another of eleven +pages, on the self-same subject, introduced with an apology, "he +certainly had no intention of inserting it," but really "the particular +request of some friends," etc., etc. It concludes with five stanzas on +himself, "the last and youngest of a noble line." There is a good deal +also about his maternal ancestors, in a poem on Lachin y Gair, a +mountain where he spent part of his youth, and might have learnt that +pibroch is not a bagpipe, any more than duet means a fiddle. + +As the author has dedicated so large a part of his volume to immortalise +his employments at school and college, we cannot possibly dismiss it +without presenting the reader with a specimen of these ingenious +effusions. In an ode with a Greek motto, called "Granta," we have the +following magnificent stanzas:-- + + + There, in apartments small and damp, + The candidate for college prizes, + Sits poring by the midnight lamp, + Goes late to bed, yet early rises. + + Who reads false quantities in Sele, + Or puzzles o'er the deep triangle, + Deprived of many a wholesome meal, + In barbarous Latin doom'd to wrangle: + + Renouncing every pleasing page, + From authors of historic use; + Preferring to the letter'd sage, + The square of the hypothenuse. + + Still harmless are these occupations, + That hurt none but the hapless student, + Compared with other recreations, + Which bring together the imprudent." + + +We are sorry to hear so bad an account of the college psalmody as is +contained in the following Attic stanzas:-- + + + "Our choir would scarcely be excused + Even as a band of raw beginners; + All mercy now must be refused + To such a set of croaking sinners. + + If David, when his toils were ended, + Had heard these blockheads sing before him, + To us his psalms had ne'er descended: + In furious mood he would have tore 'em!" + + +But, whatever judgment may be passed on the poems of this noble minor, +it seems we must take them as we find them, and be content; for they are +the last we shall ever have from him. He is, at best, he says, but an +intruder into the groves of Parnassus: he never lived in a garret, like +thorough-bred poets; and "though he once roved a careless mountaineer in +the Highlands of Scotland," he has not of late enjoyed this advantage. +Moreover, he expects no profit from his publication; and, whether it +succeeds or not, "it is highly improbable, from his situation and +pursuits hereafter," that he should again condescend to become an +author. Therefore, let us take what we get, and be thankful. What right +have we poor devils to be nice? We are well off to have got so much from +a man of this lord's station, who does not live in a garret, but "has +the sway" of Newstead Abbey. Again, we say, let us be thankful; and, +with honest Sancho, bid God bless the giver, nor look the gift horse in +the mouth. + + + + + +APPENDIX III. + +REVIEW OF GELL'S GEOGRAPHY OF ITHACA', AND 'ITINERARY OF GREECE'. + +(From the Monthly Review for August, 1811.) + +That laudable curiosity concerning the remains of classical antiquity, +which has of late years increased among our countrymen, is in no +traveller or author more conspicuous than in Mr. Gell. Whatever +difference of opinion may yet exist with regard to the success of the +several disputants in the famous Trojan controversy [1], or, indeed, +relating to the present author's merits as an inspector of the Troad, it +must universally be acknowledged that any work, which more forcibly +impresses on our imaginations the scenes of heroic action, and the +subjects of immortal song, possesses claims on the attention of every +scholar. + +Of the two works which now demand our report, we conceive the former to +be by far the most interesting to the reader, as the latter is +indisputably the most serviceable to the traveller. Excepting, indeed, +the running commentary which it contains on a number of extracts from +Pausanias and Strabo, it is, as the title imports, a mere itinerary of +Greece, or rather of Argolis only, in its present circumstances. This +being the case, surely it would have answered every purpose of utility +much better by being printed as a pocket road-book of that part of the +Morea; for a quarto is a very unmanageable travelling companion. The +maps [2] and drawings, we shall be told, would not permit such an +arrangement; but as to the drawings, they are not in general to be +admired as specimens of the art; and several of them, as we have been +assured by eye-witnesses of the scenes which they describe, do not +compensate for their mediocrity in point of execution, by any +extraordinary fidelity of representation. Others, indeed, are more +faithful, according to our informants. The true reason, however, for +this costly mode of publication is in course to be found in a desire of +gratifying the public passion for large margins, and all the luxury of +typography; and we have before expressed our dissatisfaction with Mr. +Gell's aristocratical mode of communicating a species of knowledge, +which ought to be accessible to a much greater portion of classical +students than can at present acquire it by his means:--but, as such +expostulations are generally useless, we shall be thankful for what we +can obtain, and that in the manner in which Mr. Gell has chosen to +present it. + +The former of these volumes, we have observed, is the most attractive in +the closet. It comprehends a very full survey of the far-famed island +which the hero of the 'Odyssey' has immortalized; for we really are +inclined to think that the author has established the identity of the +modern 'Theaki' with the 'Ithaca' of Homer. At all events, if it be an +illusion, it is a very agreeable deception, and is effected by an +ingenious interpretation of the passages in Homer that are supposed to +be descriptive of the scenes which our traveller has visited. We shall +extract some of these adaptations of the ancient picture to the modern +scene, marking the points of resemblance which appear to be strained and +forced, as well as those which are more easy and natural; but we must +first insert some preliminary matter from the opening chapter. The +following passage conveys a sort of general sketch of the book, which +may give our readers a tolerably adequate notion of its contents:-- + + "The present work may adduce, by a simple and correct survey of the + island, coincidences in its geography, in its natural productions, and + moral state, before unnoticed. Some will be directly pointed out; the + fancy or ingenuity of the reader may be employed in tracing others; + the mind familiar with the imagery of the 'Odyssey' will + recognise with satisfaction the scenes themselves; and this volume is + offered to the public, not entirely without hopes of vindicating the + poem of Homer from the scepticism of those critics who imagine that + the 'Odyssey' is a mere poetical composition, unsupported by + history, and unconnected with the localities of any particular + situation. + + "Some have asserted that, in the comparison of places now existing + with the descriptions of Homer, we ought not to expect coincidence in + minute details; yet it seems only by these that the kingdom of + Ulysses, or any other, can be identified, as, if such an idea be + admitted, every small and rocky island in the Ionian Sea, containing a + good port, might, with equal plausibility, assume the appellation of + Ithaca. + + "The Venetian geographers have in a great degree contributed to raise + those doubts which have existed on the identity of the modern with the + ancient Ithaca, by giving, in their charts, the name of Val di Compare + to the island. That name is, however, totally unknown in the country, + where the isle is invariably called Ithaca by the upper ranks, and + Theaki by the vulgar. The Venetians have equally corrupted the name of + almost every place in Greece; yet, as the natives of Epactos or + Naupactos never heard of Lepanto, those of Zacynthos of Zante, or the + Athenians of Settines, it would be as unfair to rob Ithaca of its + name, on such authority, as it would be to assert that no such island + existed, because no tolerable representation of its form can be found + in the Venetian surveys. + + "The rare medals of the Island, of which three are represented in the + title-page, might be adduced as a proof that the name of Ithaca was + not lost during the reigns of the Roman emperors. They have the head + of Ulysses, recognised by the pileum, or pointed cap, while the + reverse of one presents the figure of a cock, the emblem of his + vigilance, with the legend [Greek:IThAK_ON]. A few of these medals are + preserved in the cabinets of the curious, and one also, with the cock, + found in the island, is in the possession of Signor Zavo, of Bathi. + The uppermost coin is in the collection of Dr. Hunter; the second is + copied from Newman; and the third is the property of R.P. Knight, Esq. + + "Several inscriptions, which will be hereafter produced, will tend to + the confirmation of the idea that Ithaca was inhabited about the time + when the Romans were masters of Greece; yet there is every reason to + believe that few, if any, of the present proprietors of the soil are + descended from ancestors who had long resided successively in the + island. Even those who lived, at the time of Ulysses, in Ithaca, seem + to have been on the point of emigrating to Argos, and no chief + remained, after the second in descent from that hero, worthy of being + recorded in history. It appears that the isle has been twice colonised + from Cephalonia in modern times, and I was informed that a grant had + been made by the Venetians, entitling each settler in Ithaca to as + much land as his circumstances would enable him to cultivate." + +Mr. Gell then proceeds to invalidate the authority of previous writers +on the subject of Ithaca. Sir George Wheeler and M. le Chevalier fall +under his severe animadversion; and, indeed, according to his account, +neither of these gentlemen had visited the island, and the description +of the latter is "absolutely too absurd for refutation." In another +place, he speaks of M. le C. "disgracing a work of such merit by the +introduction of such fabrications;" again, of the inaccuracy of the +author's maps; and, lastly, of his inserting an island at the southern +entry of the channel between Cephalonia and Ithaca, which has no +existence. This observation very nearly approaches to the use of that +monosyllable which Gibbon [3], without expressing it, so adroitly +applied to some assertion of his antagonist, Mr. Davies. In truth, our +traveller's words are rather bitter towards his brother tourist; but we +must conclude that their justice warrants their severity. + +In the second chapter, the author describes his landing in Ithaca, and +arrival at the rock Korax and the fountain Arethusa, as he designates it +with sufficient positiveness.--This rock, now known by the name of +Korax, or Koraka Petra, he contends to be the same with that which Homer +mentions as contiguous to the habitation of Eumæus, the faithful +swineherd of Ulysses.--We shall take the liberty of adding to our +extracts from Mr. Gell some of the passages in Homer to which he +_refers_ only, conceiving this to be the fairest method of exhibiting +the strength or the weakness of his argument. + + "Ulysses," he observes, "came to the extremity of the isle to visit + Eumæus, and that extremity was the most southern; for Telemachus, + coming from Pylos, touched at the first south-eastern part of Ithaca + with the same intention." + + +[Greek: + + Kai tote dae r Odysaea kakos pothen aegage daim_on + Agrou ep eschatiaen, hothi d_omata naie sub_otaes + Enth aelthen philos uhios Odyssaeos theioio, + Ek Pylon aemathoentos i_on sun naei melainae. + + Odyssei _O. + + Autar epaen pr_otaen aktaen Ithakaes aphikaeai, + Naea men es polin otrunai kai pantas etairous + Autos de pr_otista sub_otaen eisaphikesthai, k.t.l. + + Odyssei O.] + + +These citations, we think, appear to justify the author in his attempt +to identify the situation of his rock and fountain with the place of +those mentioned by Homer. But let us now follow him in the closer +description of the scene.--After some account of the subjects in the +plate affixed, Mr. Gell remarks: + + "It is impossible to visit this sequestered spot without being struck + with the recollection of the Fount of Arethusa and the rock Korax, + which the poet mentions in the same line, adding, that there the swine + ate the _sweet_ [4] acorns, and drank the black water." + + + [Greek: + + Daeeis ton ge suessi paraemenon ai de nemontai + Par Korakos petrae, epi te kraenae Arethousae, + Esthousai balanon menoeikea, kai melan hud_or + Pinousai. + + Odyssei N.] + + + "Having passed some time at the fountain, taken a drawing, and made + the necessary observations on the situation of the place, we proceeded + to an examination of the precipice, climbing over the terraces above + the source among shady fig-trees, which, however, did not prevent us + from feeling the powerful effects of the mid-day sun. After a short + but fatiguing ascent, we arrived at the rock, which extends in a vast + perpendicular semicircle, beautifully fringed with trees, facing to + the south-east. Under the crag we found two caves of inconsiderable + extent, the entrance of one of which, not difficult of access, is seen + in the view of the fount. They are still the resort of sheep and + goats, and in one of them are small natural receptacles for the water, + covered by a stalagmatic incrustation. + + "These caves, being at the extremity of the curve formed by the + precipice, open toward the south, and present us with another + accompaniment of the fount of Arethusa, mentioned by the poet, who + informs us that the swineherd Eumæus left his guests in the house, + whilst he, putting on a thick garment, went to sleep near the herd, + under the hollow of the rock, which sheltered him from the northern + blast. Now we know that the herd fed near the fount; for Minerva tells + Ulysses that he is to go first to Eumæus, whom he should find with + the swine, near the rock Korax and the fount of Arethusa. As the swine + then fed at the fountain, so it is necessary that a cavern should be + found in its vicinity; and this seems to coincide, in distance and + situation, with that of the poem. Near the fount also was the fold or + stathmos of Eumæus; for the goddess informs Ulysses that he should + find his faithful servant at or above the fount. + + "Now the hero meets the swineherd close to the fold, which was + consequently very near that source. At the top of the rock, and just + above the spot where the waterfall shoots down the precipice, is at + this day a stagni, or pastoral dwelling, which the herdsmen of Ithaca + still inhabit, on account of the water necessary for their cattle. One + of these people walked on the verge of the precipice at the time of + our visit to the place, and seemed so anxious to know how we had been + conveyed to the spot, that his inquiries reminded us of a question + probably not uncommon in the days of Homer, who more than once + represents the Ithacences demanding of strangers what ship had brought + them to the island, it being evident they could not come on foot. He + told us that there was, on the summit where he stood, a small cistern + of water, and a kalybea, or shepherd's hut. There are also vestiges of + ancient habitations, and the place is now called Amarâthia. + + "Convenience, as well as safety, seems to have pointed out the lofty + situation of Amarâthia as a fit place for the residence of the + herdsmen of this part of the island from the earliest ages. A small + source of water is a treasure in these climates; and if the + inhabitants of Ithaca now select a rugged and elevated spot, to secure + them from the robbers of the Echinades, it is to be recollected that + the Taphian pirates were not less formidable, even in the days of + Ulysses, and that a residence in a solitary part of the island, far + from the fortress, and close to a celebrated fountain, must at all + times have been dangerous, without some such security as the rocks of + Korax. Indeed, there can be no doubt that the house of Eumæus was on + the top of the precipice; for Ulysses, in order to evince the truth of + his story to the swineherd, desires to be thrown from the summit if + his narration does not prove correct. + + "Near the bottom of the precipice is a curious natural gallery, about + seven feet high, which is expressed in the plate. It may be fairly + presumed, from the very remarkable coincidence between this place and + the Homeric account, that this was the scene designated by the poet as + the fountain of Arethusa, and the residence of Eumæus; and, perhaps, + it would be impossible to find another spot which bears, at this day, + so strong a resemblance to a poetic description composed at a period + so very remote. There is no other fountain in this part of the island, + nor any rock which bears the slightest resemblance to the Korax of + Homer. + + "The stathmos of the good Eumæus appears to have been little + different, either in use or construction, from the stagni and kalybea + of the present day. The poet expressly mentions that other herdsmen + drove their flocks into the city at sunset,--a custom which still + prevails throughout Greece during the winter, and that was the season + in which Ulysses visited Eumæus. Yet Homer accounts for this deviation + from the prevailing custom, by observing that he had retired from the + city to avoid the suitors of Penelope. These trifling occurrences + afford a strong presumption that the Ithaca of Homer was something + more than the creature of his own fancy, as some have supposed it; for + though the grand outline of a fable may be easily imagined, yet the + consistent adaptation of minute incidents to a long and elaborate + falsehood is a task of the most arduous and complicated nature." + + +After this long extract, by which we have endeavoured to do justice to +Mr. Gell's argument, we cannot allow room for any farther quotations of +such extent; and we must offer a brief and imperfect analysis of the +remainder of the work. In the third chapter the traveller arrives at the +capital, and in the fourth he describes it in an agreeable manner. We +select his account of the mode of celebrating a Christian festival in +the Greek Church:-- + + + "We were present at the celebration of the feast of the Ascension, + when the citizens appeared in their gayest dresses, and saluted each + other in the streets with demonstrations of pleasure. As we sate at + breakfast in the house of Signer Zavo, we were suddenly roused by the + discharge of a gun, succeeded by a tremendous crash of pottery, which + fell on the tiles, steps, and pavements, in every direction. The bells + of the numerous churches commenced a most discordant jingle; colours + were hoisted on every mast in the port, and a general shout of joy + announced some great event. Our host informed us that the feast of the + Ascension was annually commemorated in this manner at Bathi, the + populace exclaiming [Greek: anestae o Christos, alaethinos o Theos], + Christ is risen, the true God." + + +In another passage, he continues this account as follows:-- + + "In the evening of the festival, the inhabitants danced before their + houses; and at one we saw the figure which is said to have been first + used by the youths and virgins of Delos, at the happy return of + Theseus from the expedition of the Cretan Labyrinth. It has now lost + much of that intricacy which was supposed to allude to the windings of + the habitation of the Minotaur," + +etc., etc. This is rather too much for even the inflexible gravity of +our censorial muscles. When the author talks, with all the 'reality' (if +we may use the expression) of a Lemprière, on the stories of the +fabulous ages, we cannot refrain from indulging a momentary smile; nor +can we seriously accompany him in the learned architectural detail by +which he endeavours to give us, from the 'Odyssey', the ground-plot of +the house of Ulysses,--of which he actually offers a plan in drawing! +"showing how the description of the house of Ulysses in the 'Odyssey' +may be supposed to correspond with the foundations yet visible on the +hill of Aito!"--Oh, Foote! Foote! why are you lost to such inviting +subjects for your ludicrous pencil!--In his account of this celebrated +mansion, Mr. Gell says, one side of the court seems to have been +occupied by the Thalamos, or sleeping apartments of the men, etc., etc.; +and, in confirmation of this hypothesis, he refers to the 10th +'Odyssey', line 340. On examining his reference, we read-- + + [Greek: 'Es thalamon t' ienai, kai saes epibaemenai eunaes'] + +where Ulysses records an invitation which he received from Circe to take +a part of her bed. How this illustrates the above conjecture, we are at +a loss to divine: but we suppose that some numerical error has occurred +in the reference, as we have detected a trifling mistake or two of the +same nature. + +Mr. G. labours hard to identify the cave of Dexia near Bathi (the +capital of the island), with the grotto of the Nymphs described in the +13th 'Odyssey'. We are disposed to grant that he has succeeded; but we +cannot here enter into the proofs by which he supports his opinion; and +we can only extract one of the concluding sentences of the chapter, +which appears to us candid and judicious:-- + + + "Whatever opinion may be formed as to the identity of the cave of + Dexia with the grotto of the Nymphs, it is fair to state, that Strabo + positively asserts that no such cave as that described by Homer + existed in his time, and that geographer thought it better to assign a + physical change, rather than ignorance in Homer, to account for a + difference which he imagined to exist between the Ithaca of his time + and that of the poet. But Strabo, who was an uncommonly accurate + observer with respect to countries surveyed by himself, appears to + have been wretchedly misled by his informers on many occasions. + + "That Strabo had never visited this country is evident, not only from + his inaccurate account of it, but from his citation of Apollodorus and + Scepsius, whose relations are in direct opposition to each other on + the subject of Ithaca, as will be demonstrated on a future + opportunity." + + +We must, however, observe that "demonstration" is a strong term.--In his +description of the Leucadian Promontory (of which we have a pleasing +representation in the plate), the author remarks that it is "celebrated +for the _leap_ of Sappho, and the _death_ of Artemisia." From this +variety in the expression, a reader would hardly conceive that both the +ladies perished in the same manner; in fact, the sentence is as proper +as it would be to talk of the decapitation of Russell, and the death of +Sidney. The view from this promontory includes the island of Corfu; and +the name suggests to Mr. Gell the following note, which, though rather +irrelevant, is of a curious nature, and we therefore conclude our +citations by transcribing it:-- + + + "It has been generally supposed that Corfu, or Corcyra, was the + Phæacia of Homer; but Sir Henry Englefield thinks the position of that + island inconsistent with the voyage of Ulysses as described in the + 'Odyssey'. That gentleman has also observed a number of such + remarkable coincidences between the courts of Alcinous and Solomon, + that they may be thought curious and interesting. Homer was familiar + with the names of Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt; and, as he lived about the + time of Solomon, it would not have been extraordinary if he had + introduced some account of the magnificence of that prince into his + poem. As Solomon was famous for wisdom, so the name of Alcinous + signifies strength of knowledge; as the gardens of Solomon were + celebrated, so are those of Alcinous ('Od'. 7. 112); as the kingdom of + Solomon was distinguished by twelve tribes under twelve princes (1 + Kings ch. 4), so that of Alcinous ('Od'. 8. 390) was ruled by an equal + number: as the throne of Solomon was supported by lions of gold (1 + Kings ch. 10), so that of Alcinous was placed on dogs of silver and + gold ('Od'. 7. 91); as the fleets of Solomon were famous, so were + those of Alcinous. It is perhaps worthy of remark, that Neptune sate + on the mountains of the SOLYMI, as he returned from Æthiopia to Ægæ, + while he raised the tempest which threw Ulysses on the coast of + Phæacia; and that the Solymi of Pamphylia are very considerably + distant from the route.--The suspicious character, also, which + Nausicaa attributes to her countryman agrees precisely with that which + the Greeks and Romans gave of the Jews." + +The seventh chapter contains a description of the Monastery of Kathara, +and several adjacent places. The eighth, among other curiosities, fixes +on an imaginary site for the Farm of Laertes; but this is the agony of +conjecture indeed!--and the ninth chapter mentions another Monastery, +and a rock still called the School of Homer. Some sepulchral +inscriptions of a very simple nature are included.--The tenth and last +chapter brings us round to the Port of Schoenus, near Bathi; after we +have completed, seemingly in a very minute and accurate manner, the tour +of the island. + +We can certainly recommend a perusal of this volume to every lover of +classical scene and story. If we may indulge the pleasing belief that +Homer sang of a real kingdom, and that Ulysses governed it, though we +discern many feeble links in Mr. Gell's chain of evidence, we are on the +whole induced to fancy that this is the Ithaca of the bard and of the +monarch. At all events, Mr. Gell has enabled every future traveller to +form a clearer judgment on the question than he could have established +without such a "Vade-mecum to Ithaca," or a "Have with you, to the House +of Ulysses," as the present. With Homer in his pocket, and Gell on his +sumpter-horse or mule, the Odyssean tourist may now make a very +classical and delightful excursion; and we doubt not that the advantages +accruing to the Ithacences, from the increased number of travellers who +will visit them in consequence of Mr. Gell's account of their country, +will induce them to confer on that gentleman any heraldic honours which +they may have to bestow, should he ever look in upon them again.--'Baron +Bathi' would be a pretty title:-- + + "'Hoc' Ithacus 'velit, et magno mercentur Atridae'." + + VIRGIL. + +For ourselves, we confess that all our old Grecian feelings would be +alive on approaching the fountain of Melainudros, where, as the +tradition runs, or as the priests relate, Homer was restored to sight. + +We now come to the "Grecian Patterson," or "Cary," which Mr. Gell has +begun to publish; and really he has carried the epic rule of concealing +the person of the author to as great a length as either of the +above-mentioned heroes of itinerary writ. We hear nothing of his +"hair-breadth 'scapes" by sea or land; and we do not even know, for the +greater part of his journey through Argolis, whether he relates what he +has seen or what he has heard. From other parts of the book, we find the +former to be the case; but, though there have been tourists and +"strangers" in other countries, who have kindly permitted their readers +to learn rather too much of their sweet selves, yet it is possible to +carry delicacy, or cautious silence, or whatever it may be called, to +the contrary extreme. We think that Mr. Gell has fallen into this error, +so opposite to that of his numerous brethren. It is offensive, indeed, +to be told what a man has eaten for dinner, or how pathetic he was on +certain occasions; but we like to know that there is a being yet living +who describes the scenes to which he introduces us; and that it is not a +mere translation from Strabo or Pausanias which we are reading, or a +commentary on those authors. This reflection leads us to the concluding +remark in Mr. Gell's preface (by much the most interesting part of his +book) to his 'Itinerary of Greece', in which he thus expresses himself:-- + + + "The confusion of the modern with the ancient names of places in this + volume is absolutely unavoidable; they are, however, mentioned in such + a manner, that the reader will soon be accustomed to the + indiscriminate use of them. The necessity of applying the ancient + appellations to the different routes, will be evident from the total + ignorance of the public on the subject of the modern names, which, + having never appeared in print, are only known to the few individuals + who have visited the country. + + "What could appear less intelligible to the reader, or less useful to + the traveller, than a route from Chione and Zaracca to Kutchukmadi, + from thence by Krabata to Schoenochorio, and by the mills of Peali, + while every one is in some degree acquainted with the names of + Stymphalus, Nemea, Mycenæ, Lyrceia, Lerna, and Tegea?" + + +Although this may be very true inasmuch as it relates to the reader, yet +to the traveller we must observe, in opposition to Mr. Gell, that +nothing can be less useful than the designation of his route according +to the ancient names. We might as well, and with as much chance of +arriving at the place of our destination, talk to a Hounslow post-boy +about making haste to 'Augusta', as apply to our Turkish guide in modern +Greece for a direction to Stymphalus, Nemea, Mycenæ, etc., etc. This is +neither more nor less than classical affectation; and it renders Mr. +Gell's book of much more confined use than it would otherwise have +been:--but we have some other and more important remarks to make on his +general directions to Grecian tourists; and we beg leave to assure our +readers that they are derived from travellers who have lately visited +Greece. In the first place, Mr. Cell is absolutely incautious enough to +recommend an interference on the part of English travellers with the +Minister at the Porte, in behalf of the Greeks. + + "The folly of such neglect (page 16, preface), in many instances, + where the emancipation of a district might often be obtained by the + present of a snuff-box or a watch, at Constantinople, _and without the + smallest danger of exciting the jealousy of such a court as that of + Turkey_, will be acknowledged when we are no longer able to rectify + the error." + +We have every reason to believe, on the contrary, that the folly of half +a dozen travellers, taking this advice, might bring us into a war. +"Never interfere with any thing of the kind," is a much sounder and more +political suggestion to all English travellers in Greece. + +Mr. Gell apologizes for the introduction of "his panoramic designs," as +he calls them, on the score of the great difficulty of giving any +tolerable idea of the face of a country in writing, and the ease with +which a very accurate knowledge of it may be acquired by maps and +panoramic designs. We are informed that this is not the case with many +of these designs. The small scale of the single map we have already +censured; and we have hinted that some of the drawings are not +remarkable for correct resemblance of their originals. The two nearer +views of the Gate of the Lions at Mycenæ are indeed good likenesses of +their subject, and the first of them is unusually well executed; but the +general view of Mycenæ is not more than tolerable in any respect; and +the prospect of Larissa, etc., is barely equal to the former. The view +_from_ this last place is also indifferent; and we are positively +assured that there are no windows at Nauplia which look like a box of +dominos,--the idea suggested by Mr. Gell's plate. We must not, however, +be too severe on these picturesque bagatelles, which, probably, were +very hasty sketches; and the circumstances of weather, etc., may have +occasioned some difference in the appearance of the same objects to +different spectators. We shall therefore return to Mr. Gell's preface; +endeavouring to set him right in his directions to travellers, where we +think that he is erroneous, and adding what appears to have been +omitted. In his first sentence, he makes an assertion which is by no +means correct. He says, "_We_ are at present as ignorant of Greece, as +of the interior of Africa." Surely not quite so ignorant; or several of +our Grecian _Mungo Parks_ have travelled in vain, and some very +sumptuous works have been published to no purpose! As we proceed, we +find the author observing that "Athens is 'now' the most polished +city of "Greece," when we believe it to be the most barbarous, even to a +proverb-- + + [Greek: _O Athaena, pr_otae ch_ora, + Ti gaidarous trepheis t_ora;] [5] + +is a couplet of reproach _now_ applied to this once famous city; whose +inhabitants seem little worthy of the inspiring call which was addressed +to them within these twenty years, by the celebrated Riga:-- + + [Greek: Deute paides t_on Hellaen_on, k.t.l.] + +Iannina, the capital of Epirus, and the seat of Ali Pacha's government, +'is' in truth deserving of the honours which Mr. Gell has improperly +bestowed on degraded Athens. As to the correctness of the remark +concerning the fashion of wearing the hair cropped in 'Molossia', as Mr. +Gell informs us, our authorities cannot depose; but why will he use the +classical term of Eleuthero-Lacones, when that people are so much better +known by their modern name of Mainotes? "The court of the Pacha of +Tripolizza" is said "to realise the splendid visions of the Arabian +Nights." This is true with regard to the 'court'; but surely the +traveller ought to have added that the city and palace are most +miserable, and form an extraordinary contrast to the splendour of the +court.--Mr. Gell mentions 'gold' mines in Greece: he should have +specified their situation, as it certainly is not universally known. +When, also, he remarks that "the first article of necessity 'in Greece' +is a firman, or order from the Sultan, permitting the traveller to pass +unmolested," we are much misinformed if he be right. On the contrary, we +believe this to be almost the only part of the Turkish dominions in +which a firman is not necessary; since the passport of the Pacha is +absolute within his territory (according to Mr. G.'s own admission), and +much more effectual than a firman.-- + +"Money," he remarks, "is easily procured at Salonica, or Patrass, where +the English have consuls." It is much better procured, we understand, +from the Turkish governors, who never charge discount. The consuls for +the English are not of the most magnanimous order of Greeks, and far +from being so liberal, generally speaking; although there are, in +course, some exceptions, and Strané of Patras has been more honourably +mentioned.--After having observed that "horses seem the best mode of +conveyance in Greece," Mr. Gell proceeds: "Some travellers would prefer +an English saddle; but a saddle of this sort is always objected to by +the owner of the horse, _and not without reason_," etc. This, we learn, +is far from being the case; and, indeed, for a very simple reason, an +English saddle must seem to be preferable to one of the country, because +it is much lighter. When, too, Mr. Gell calls the _postillion_ +"Menzilgi," he mistakes him for his betters; _Serrugees_ are +postillions; _Menzilgis_ are postmasters.--Our traveller was fortunate +in his Turks, who are hired to walk by the side of the baggage-horses. +They "are certain," he says, "of performing their engagement without +grumbling." We apprehend that this is by no means certain:--but Mr. Gell +is perfectly right in preferring a Turk to a Greek for this purpose; and +in his general recommendation to take a Janissary on the tour: who, we +may add, should be suffered to act as he pleases, since nothing is to be +done by gentle means, or even by offers of money, at the places of +accommodation. A courier, to be sent on before to the place at which the +traveller intends to sleep, is indispensable to comfort; but no tourist +should be misled by the author's advice to suffer the Greeks to gratify +their curiosity, in permitting them to remain for some time about him on +his arrival at an inn. They should be removed as soon as possible; for, +as to the remark that "no stranger would think of intruding when a room +is pre-occupied," our informants were not so well convinced of that +fact. + +Though we have made the above exceptions to the accuracy of Mr. Gell's +information, we are most ready to do justice to the general utility of +his directions, and can certainly concede the praise which he is +desirous of obtaining,--namely, "of having facilitated the researches of +future travellers, by affording that local information which it was +before impossible to obtain." This book, indeed, is absolutely necessary +to any person who wishes to explore the Morea advantageously; and we +hope that Mr. Gell will continue his Itinerary over that and over every +other part of Greece. He allows that his volume "is only calculated to +become a book of reference, and not of general entertainment;" but we do +not see any reason against the compatibility of both objects in a survey +of the most celebrated country of the ancient world. To that country, we +trust, the attention not only of our travellers, but of our legislators, +will hereafter be directed. The greatest caution will, indeed, be +required, as we have premised, in touching on so delicate a subject as +the amelioration of the possessions of an ally: but the field for the +exercise of political sagacity is wide and inviting in this portion of +the globe; and Mr. Gell, and all other writers who interest us, however +remotely, in its extraordinary _capabilities_, deserve well of the +British empire. We shall conclude by an extract from the author's work: +which, even if it fails of exciting that general interest which we hope +most earnestly it may attract towards its important subject, cannot, as +he justly observes, "be entirely uninteresting to the scholar;" since it +is a work "which gives him a faithful description of the remains of +cities, the very existence of which was doubtful, as they perished +before the æra of authentic history." The subjoined quotation is a good +specimen of the author's minuteness of research as a topographer; and we +trust that the credit which must accrue to him from the present +performance will ensure the completion of his _Itinerary_:-- + + "The inaccuracies of the maps of Anacharsis are in many respects very + glaring. The situation of Phlius is marked by Strabo as surrounded by + the territories of Sicyon, Argos, Cleonæ, and Stymphalus. Mr. Hawkins + observed, that Phlius, the ruins of which still exist near Agios + Giorgios, lies in a direct line between Cleonæ and Stymphalus, and + another from Sicyon to Argos; so that Strabo was correct in saying + that it lay between those four towns; yet we see Phlius, in the map of + Argolis by M. Barbie du Bocage, placed ten miles to the north of + Stymphalus, contradicting both history and fact. D'Anville is guilty + of the same error. + + "M. du Bocage places a town named Phlius, and by him Phlionte, on the + point of land which forms the port of Drepano; there are not at + present any ruins there. The maps of D'Anville are generally more + correct than any others where ancient geography is concerned. A + mistake occurs on the subject of Tiryns, and a place named by him + Vathia, but of which nothing can be understood. It is possible that + Vathi, or the profound valley, may be a name sometimes used for the + valley of Barbitsa, and that the place named by D'Anville Claustra may + be the outlet of that valley called Kleisoura, which has a + corresponding signification. + + "The city of Tiryns is also placed in two different positions, once by + its Greek name, and again as Tirynthus. The mistake between the + islands of Sphæria and Calaura has been noticed in page 135. The + Pontinus, which D'Anville represents as a river, and the Erasinus, are + equally ill placed in his map. There was a place called Creopolis, + somewhere toward Cynouria; but its situation is not easily fixed. The + ports called Bucephalium and Piræus seem to have been nothing more + than little bays in the country between Corinth and Epidaurus. The + town called Athenæ, in Cynouria, by Pausanias, is called Anthena by + 'Thucydides', book 5. 41. + + "In general, the map of D'Anville will be found more accurate than + those which have been published since his time; indeed, the mistakes + of that geographer are in general such as could not be avoided without + visiting the country. Two errors of D'Anville may be mentioned, lest + the opportunity of publishing the itinerary of Arcadia should never + occur. The first is, that the rivers Malætas and Mylaon, near + Methydrium, are represented as running toward the south, whereas they + flow northwards to the Ladon; and the second is, that the Aroanius, + which falls into the Erymanthus at Psophis, is represented as flowing + from the lake of Pheneos; a mistake which arises from the ignorance of + the ancients themselves who have written on the subject. The fact is + that the Ladon receives the waters of the lakes of Orchomenos and + Pheneos; but the Aroanius rises at a spot not two hours distant from + Psophis." + + +In furtherance of our principal object in this critique, we have only to +add a wish that some of our Grecian tourists, among the fresh articles +of information concerning Greece which they have lately imported, would +turn their minds to the language of the country. So strikingly similar +to the ancient Greek is the modern Romaic as a written language, and so +dissimilar in sound, that even a few general rules concerning +pronunciation would be of most extensive use. + + +END OF VOL. I. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works Of Lord Byron, Letters and +Journals, Vol. 1, by Lord Byron + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BYRON, LETTERS AND JOURNALS, VOL 1 *** + +***** This file should be named 8901-8.txt or 8901-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/9/0/8901/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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