Chapter II · — Cambridge and Juvenile Poems

1805-1808.

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."

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 2 of Letter 38

List of Letters

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,

note

1), comes to an end.

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 30

List of Letters

34 — To Hargreaves Hanson

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.

return to footnote mark

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.

return

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 57

List of Letters

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

.

List of Letters

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!"

return

cross-reference: return to Footnote 8 of Letter 87

List of Letters

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.

List of Letters

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

³

. 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.]

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.)

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 65

Footnote 2:

See page 76,

note

1.

return

Footnote 3:

Words in

grey

were cut out of the text with the seal.

return

List of Letters

39 — To Hargreaves Hanson

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

.

List of Letters

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).

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 51

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 58

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."

return

List of Letters

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.

return to footnote mark

List of Letters

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

.

List of Letters

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

.

List of Letters

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.]

List of Letters

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.

List of Letters

46 — 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.]

List of Letters

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."

return to footnote mark

List of Letters

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."

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 7

List of Letters

49 — To John Hanson

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 Œconomy 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

.

List of Letters

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

.

List of Letters

51 — To Henry Angelo¹

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.

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 98

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).

return

Footnote 3:

William Lort Mansel, Master of Trinity, and Bishop of Bristol. (See page 84,

note

1.)

return

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,

note

1.)

return

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 144

List of Letters

52 — To John M. B. Pigot¹

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.

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 12

List of Letters

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,

note

1). 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.

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 61

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 76

List of Letters

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

¹

, 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).

return to footnote mark

List of Letters

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.

List of Letters

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.

List of Letters

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,

note

2).

return to footnote mark

List of Letters

58 — To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot¹

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,

note

3.) 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.)

return to footnote mark

List of Letters

59 — To John Hanson¹

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.

return to footnote mark

List of Letters

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.

List of Letters

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,

note

2.

return to footnote mark

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.'"

return

List of Letters

62 — To Captain John Leacroft¹

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,

note

2), 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.

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 12

List of Letters

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

.

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 12

List of Letters

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

.

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 12

List of Letters

65 — To the Earl of Clare¹

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.

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2:

See page 41,

note

1.

return

Footnote 3:

See page 81,

note

1.

return

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 38

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,

Cumberland's Wheel of Fortune and

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."

return

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 12

cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 58

List of Letters

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.

List of Letters

67 — To William Bankes¹

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.

return to footnote mark

cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 84

Footnote 2:

Dr. Butler, Head-master of Harrow. (See page 58,

note

1.)

return

Footnote 3:

"Thoughts suggested by a College Examination" (

Poems

, vol. i. pp. 28-31); and "Granta, A Medley" (

Poems

, vol. i. pp. 56-62).

return

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."

return

cross-reference: return to Footnote 2 of Letter 158

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