The Works of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Volume 1 / Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron, 1788-1824The Works of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Volume 1 / Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron, 1788-1824| Author: | Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron, 1788-1824 |
| Title: | The Works of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Volume 1 |
| Date: | 2003-08-22 |
| Contributor(s): | Prothero, Rowland E., 1851-1937 [Editor] |
| Size: | 771294 |
| Identifier: | etext8901 |
| Language: | en |
| Publisher: | Project Gutenberg |
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Title: The Works Of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Vol. 1
Author: Lord Byron, Edited by Rowland E. Prothero
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS AND JOURNALS, VOL. 1 ***
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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 L23,000 and L24,000, 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 L4 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, nee 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 L17,850. Mrs. Byron Gordon found herself, at the end
of eighteen months, stripped of her property, and reduced to the income
derived from L4200, 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 ('nee' 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 L150 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 L20 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 L50 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
desespoir_, shoot myself and Go out of the world with _eclat_, 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. Caesar } 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, _AEn._ 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
Cleante ('L'Avare') wish to marry Mariane; but the miser prefers his
casket to the lady, who therefore marries Cleante. ]
[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 peches', 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 m