The Works Of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Vol. 1

L >> Lord Byron, Edited by Rowland E. Prothero >> The Works Of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Vol. 1

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BYRON.

P.S.--You will consider Newstead as your house, not mine; and me only
as a visiter.

[Footnote 1: On his way to London, Byron paid a visit, at Sittingbourne,
to Hobhouse, who was with his Militia Regiment, and under orders for
Ireland. He also stayed with H. Drury, at Harrow, for two or three days.]

158.--To William Miller. [1]

Reddish's Hotel, July 30th, 1811.

SIR,--I am perfectly aware of the justice of your remarks, and am
convinced that, if ever the poem is published, the same objections
will be made in much stronger terms. But as it was intended to be a
poem on _Ariosto's plan,_ that _is_ to _say_ on _no plan_ at all, and,
as is usual in similar cases, having a predilection for the worst
passages, I shall retain those parts, though I cannot venture to
defend them. Under these circumstances I regret that you decline the
publication, on my own account, as I think the book would have done
better in your hands; the pecuniary part, you know, I have nothing to
do with. But I can perfectly conceive, and indeed _approve_ your
reasons, and assure you my sensations are not _Archiepiscopal_ [2]
enough as yet to regard the rejection of my Homilies.

I am, Sir, your very obed't humble serv't,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: William Miller (1769-1844), son of Thomas Miller,
bookseller, of Bungay (see Beloe's 'Sexagenarian,' 2nd edit., vol. ii.
pp. 253, 254), served his apprenticeship in Hookham's publishing house.
In 1790 he set up for himself as a bookselling publisher in Bond Street.
From 1804 onwards his place of business was at 50, Albemarle Street. But
in September, 1812, he sold his stock, copyrights, good will, and lease
to John Murray, and retired to a country farm in Hertfordshire. He
declined to publish 'Childe Harold,' on the grounds that it contained
"sceptical stanzas," and attacked Lord Elgin as a plunderer. But on the
latter point, Byron, who was in serious earnest, was not likely to give
way. In Beloe's 'Sexagenarian' (vol. ii. pp. 270, 271), Miller is
described as "the splendid bookseller," who "was enabled to retire to
tranquillity and independence long before the decline of life, or
infirmities of age, rendered it necessary to do so. He was highly
respectable, but could drive a hard bargain with a poor author, as well
as any of his fraternity."

[Footnote 2: Alluding to Gil Blas and the Archbishop of Grenada (see
page 121 [Letter 67], [Foot]note 3 [4]).]

159.--To John M. B. Pigot.

Newport Pagnell, August 2, 1811.

MY DEAR DOCTOR,--My poor mother died yesterday! and I am on my way
from town to attend her to the family vault. I heard _one_ day of her
illness, the _next_ of her death. [1] Thank God her last moments were
most tranquil. I am told she was in little pain, and not aware of her
situation. I now feel the truth of Mr. Gray's observation, "That we
can only have _one_ mother." [2] Peace be with her! I have to thank
you for your expressions of regard; and as in six weeks I shall be in
Lancashire on business, I may extend to Liverpool and Chester,--at
least I shall endeavour.

If it will be any satisfaction, I have to inform you that in November
next the Editor of the _Scourge_ [3] will be tried for two different
libels on the late Mrs. B. and myself (the decease of Mrs. B. makes no
difference in the proceedings); and as he is guilty, by his very
foolish and unfounded assertion of a breach of privilege, he will be
prosecuted with the utmost rigour.

I inform you of this, as you seem interested in the affair, which is
now in the hands of the Attorney-general.

I shall remain at Newstead the greater part of this month, where I
shall be happy to hear from you, after my two years' absence in the
East.

I am, dear Pigot, yours very truly,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: On the night after his arrival at Newstead, Mrs. Byron's
maid, passing the room where the body lay, heard a heavy sigh from
within. Entering the room, she found Byron sitting in the dark beside
the bed. When she spoke to him, he burst into tears, and exclaimed,

"Oh, Mrs. By, I had but one friend in the world, and she is gone!"

On the day of the funeral he refused to follow the corpse to the grave,
but watched the procession move away from the door of Newstead; then,
turning to Rushton, bade him bring the gloves, and began his usual
sparring exercise. Only his silence, abstraction, and unusual violence
betrayed to his antagonist, says Moore ('Life', p. 128), the state of
his feelings.]

[Footnote 2:

"I had discovered a thing very little known, which is, that in one's
whole life one can never have more than a single mother. You may think
this is obvious, and (what you call) a trite observation. You are a
green gosling! I was at the same age (very near) as wise as you, and
yet I never discovered this (with full evidence and conviction, I
mean) till it was too late. It is thirteen years ago, ... and every
day I live it sinks deeper into my heart."

Gray to Nicholls, 'Works', vol. i. p. 482.]

[Footnote 3: One of Byron's first acts on returning to England was to
buy a copy of the 'Scourge', In Ridgway's bill for books supplied from
Piccadilly to Byron on July 24, 1811, is a copy of the 'Scourge' at
2's'. 6'd'. Hewson Clarke (1787-1832) was entered at Emanuel College,
Cambridge, apparently as a sizar, in 1806. Obliged to leave the
University before he had taken his degree, he supported himself in
London by his pen. He wrote two historical works--a continuation of
Hume's 'History of England' (1832), and an 'Impartial History of the
Naval, etc., Events in Europe' from the French Revolution to the Peace
of 1815. It was, however, as a journalist that he came into collision
with Byron. In the 'Satirist', a monthly magazine, illustrated with
coloured cartoons, three attacks were made on Byron, which he attributed
to Clarke:

(1) October, 1807 (vol. i pp. 77-81), a review of 'Hours of Idleness';

(2) June, 1808 (vol. ii p. 368), verses on "Lord B--n to his Bear. To
the tune of 'Lo chin y gair;'"

(3) August, 1808 (vol. iii pp. 78-86), a review of 'Poems Original and
Translated'.

Byron's reply was the passage in 'English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers'
(lines 973-980; see also the notes), where Clarke is described as

"A would-be satirist, a hired Buffoon,
A monthly scribbler of some low Lampoon," etc.;

and also the Postscript to the second edition (see 'Poems', vol. i. p.
382). In the 'Scourge' for March, 1811 (vol. i. pp. 191, 'et seqq'.),
appeared an article headed "Lord Byron," in which the alleged libel
occurred.

"We are unacquainted," says the article, "with any act of cowardice
that can be compared with that of keeping a libel 'ready cut and
dried' till some favourable opportunity enable its author to disperse
it without the hazard of personal responsibility, and under
circumstances which deprive the injured party of every means of
reparation ... He confined the knowledge of his lampoon, therefore, to
the circle of his own immediate friends, and left it to be given to
the public as soon as he should have bid adieu to the shores of
Britain. Whether his voyage was in reality no further than to Paris,
in search of the proofs of his own legitimacy, or, as he asserts, to
'Afric's coasts, and Calpe's adverse height', was of little
consequence to Mr. Clarke, who felt that to recriminate during his
absence would be unworthy of his character ... Considering the two
parties not as writers, but as men, Mr. Clarke might confidently
appeal to the knowledge and opinion of the whole university; but a
character like his disdains comparison with that of his noble
calumniator; a temper unruffled by malignant passions, a mind superior
to vicissitude, are gifts for which the pride of doubtful birth, and
the temporary possession of Newstead Abbey are contemptible
equivalents ...

"It may be reasonably asked whether to be a denizen of
Berwick-upon-Tweed be more disgraceful than to be the illegitimate
descendant of a murderer; whether to labour in an honourable
profession for the peace and competence of maturer age be less worthy
of praise than to waste the property of others in vulgar debauchery;
whether to be the offspring of parents whose only crime is their want
of title, be not as honourable as to be the son of a profligate
father, and a mother whose days and nights are spent in the delirium
of drunkenness; and, finally, whether to deserve the kindness of his
own college, to obtain its prizes, and to prepare himself for any
examination that might entitle him to share the highest honours which
the university can bestow, be less indicative of talent and virtue
than to be held up to the derision and contempt of his
fellow-students, as a scribbler of doggerel and a bear-leader; to be
hated for malignity of temper and repulsiveness of manners, and
shunned by every man who did not want to be considered a profligate
without wit, and trifling without elegance. ... We ... shall neither
expose the infamy of his uncle, the indiscretions of his mother, nor
his personal follies and embarrassments. But let him not again obtrude
himself on our attention as a moralist, etc."

The Attorney-General, Sir Vicary Gibbs, gave his opinion against legal
proceedings, on the two grounds that a considerable time had elapsed
since the publication, and Byron himself had provoked the attack.]

160.--To John Hanson.

Newstead Abbey, August 4th, 1811.

MY DEAR SIR,--The _Earl_ of Huntley and the Lady _Jean_ Stewart,
daughter of James 1st, of Scotland were the progenitors of Mrs. Byron.
I think it would be as well to be correct in the statement. Every
thing is doing that can be done, plainly yet decently, for the
interment.

When you favour me with your company, be kind enough to bring down my
carriage from Messrs. Baxter's & Co., Long Acre. I have written to
them, and beg you will come down in it, as I cannot travel
conveniently or properly without it. I trust that the decease of Mrs.
B. will not interrupt the prosecution of the Editor of the Magazine,
less for the mere punishment of the rascal, than to set the question
at rest, which, with the ignorant & weak-minded, might leave a wrong
impression. I will have no stain on the Memory of my Mother; with a
very large portion of foibles and irritability, she was without a
_vice_ (and in these days that is much). The laws of my country shall
do her and me justice in the first instance; but, if they were
deficient, the laws of modern Honour should decide. Cost what it may,
Gold or blood, I will pursue to the last the cowardly calumniator of
an absent man and a defenceless woman.

The effects of the deceased are sealed and untouched. I have sent for
her agent, Mr. Bolton, to ascertain the proper steps and nothing shall
be done precipitately. I understand her jewels and clothes are of
considerable value. I shall write to you again soon, and in the
meantime, with my most particular remembrance to Mrs. Hanson, my
regards to Charles, and my _respects_ to the young ladies, I am, Dear
Sir,

Your very sincere and obliged servant,

BYRON.

161.--To Scrope Berdmore Davies.

Newstead Abbey, August 7, 1811.

MY DEAREST DAVIES,--Some curse hangs over me and mine. My mother lies
a corpse in this house; one of my best friends is drowned in a ditch.
[1] What can I say, or think, or do? I received a letter from him the
day before yesterday. My dear Scrope, if you can spare a moment, do
come down to me--I want a friend. Matthews's last letter was written
on _Friday._--on Saturday he was not. In ability, who was like
Matthews? How did we all shrink before him? You do me but justice in
saying, I would have risked my paltry existence to have preserved his.
This very evening did I mean to write, inviting him, as I invite you,
my very dear friend, to visit me. God forgive----for his apathy! What
will our poor Hobhouse feel? His letters breathe but of Matthews. Come
to me, Scrope, I am almost desolate--left almost alone in the world
[2]--I had but you, and H., and M., and let me enjoy the survivors
whilst I can. Poor M., in his letter of Friday, speaks of his intended
contest for Cambridge, and a speedy journey to London. Write or come,
but come if you can, or one or both.

Yours ever.

[Footnote 1: Charles Skinner Matthews (see page 150 [Letter 84],
[Foot]note 3 [2]).]

[Footnote 2: In 1811 Byron had lost, besides his mother and Matthews
(August), his Harrow friend Wingfield (see page 180, note 1), Hargreaves
Hanson (see page 54 [Letter 18], [Foot]note 1), and Edleston (see page
130 [Letter 74], [Foot]note 3 [2]).]

162.--To R. C. Dallas.

Newstead Abbey, Notts., August 12, 1811.

Peace be with the dead! Regret cannot wake them. With a sigh to the
departed, let us resume the dull business of life, in the certainty
that we also shall have our repose. Besides her who gave me being, I
have lost more than one who made that being tolerable.--The best
friend of my friend Hobhouse, Matthews, a man of the first talents,
and also not the worst of my narrow circle, has perished miserably in
the muddy waves of the Cam, always fatal to genius:--my poor
school-fellow, Wingfield, at Coimbra--within a month; and whilst I had
heard from _all three,_ but not seen _one._ Matthews wrote to me the
very day before his death; and though I feel for his fate, I am still
more anxious for Hobhouse, who, I very much fear, will hardly retain
his senses: his letters to me since the event have been most
incoherent. [1] But let this pass; we shall all one day pass along
with the rest--the world is too full of such things, and our very
sorrow is selfish.

I received a letter from you, which my late occupations prevented me
from duly noticing. [2]--I hope your friends and family will long hold
together. I shall be glad to hear from you, on business, on
commonplace, or any thing, or nothing--but death--I am already too
familiar with the dead. It is strange that I look on the skulls which
stand beside me (I have always had _four_ in my study) without
emotion, but I cannot strip the features of those I have known of
their fleshy covering, even in idea, without a hideous sensation; but
the worms are less ceremonious.--Surely, the Romans did well when they
burned the dead.--I shall be happy to hear from you, and am,

Yours, etc.

[Footnote 1:

"Just," writes Hobhouse to Byron, in an undated letter from Dover, "as
I was preparing to condole with you on your severe misfortune, an
event has taken place, the details of which you will find in the
enclosed letter from S. Davies. I am totally unable to say one word on
the subject. He was my oldest friend, and, though quite unworthy of
his attachment, I believe that I was an object of his regard.

"I now fear that I have not been sufficiently at all times just and
kind to him. Return me this fatal letter, and pray add, if it is but
one line, a few words of your own."

A second letter, dated August 8, 1811, is as follows:--

"MY DEAR BYRON,--To-morrow morning we sail for Cork. It is with
difficulty I bring myself to talk of my paltry concerns, but I cannot
refuse giving you such information as may enable me to hear from one
of the friends that I have still left. Pray do give me a line; nothing
is more selfish than sorrow. His great and unrivalled talents were
observable by all, his kindness was known to his friends. You
recollect how affectionately he shook my hand at parting. It was the
last time you ever saw him--did you think it would be the last? But
three days before his death he told me in a letter that he had heard
from you. On Friday he wrote to me again, and on Saturday--alas, alas!
we are not stocks or stones,--every word of our friend Davies' letter
still pierces me to the soul--such a man and such a death! I would
that he had not been so minute in his horrid details. Oh, my dear
Byron, do write to me; I am very, very sick at heart indeed, and,
after various efforts to write upon my own concerns, I still revert to
the same melancholy subject. I wrote to Cawthorn to-day, but knew not
what I said to him; half my incitement to finish that task is for ever
gone. I can neither have his assistance during my labour, his comfort
if I should fail, nor his congratulation if I should succeed. Forgive
me, I do not forget you--but I cannot but remember him.

Ever your obliged and faithful, JOHN C. HOBHOUSE."

Byron had apparently suggested that Hobhouse should write some brief
record of his friend. Hobhouse replies from Enniscorthy, September 13,
1811:--

"The melancholy subject of your last, in spite of every effort,
perpetually recurs to me. It is indeed a hard science to forget,
though I cannot but think that it is the wisest and indeed the only
remedy for grief. I should be quite incapable every way of doing what
you mention, and I could not even set about such a melancholy task
with spirit or prospect of success. The thing may be better done by a
person less interested than myself in so cruel a catastrophe. Whatever
you say in your book will be well said, and do credit both to your
heart and head; how much would it have gratified him who shall ne'er
hear it!"]

[Footnote 2: Dallas had written on July 29 to protest, on six grounds
which he gives ('Correspondence of Lord Byron', pp. 151-153), "against
the sceptical stanzas" of 'Childe Harold'.]

163.--To----Bolton.

Newstead Abbey, August 12, 1811.

Sir,--I enclose a rough draught of my intended will which I beg to
have drawn up as soon as possible, in the firmest manner. The
alterations are principally made in consequence of the death of Mrs.
Byron. I have only to request that it may be got ready in a short
time, and have the honour to be,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

BYRON.

163. To----Bolton.

Newstead Abbey, August 12, 1811.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE CONTENTS OF A WILL TO BE DRAWN UP IMMEDIATELY.

The estate of Newstead to be entailed (subject to certain deductions)
on George Anson Byron, heir-at-law, or whoever may be the heir-at-law
on the death of Lord B. The Rochdale property to be sold in part or
the whole, according to the debts and legacies of the present Lord B.

To Nicolo Giraud of Athens, subject of France, but born in Greece, the
sum of seven thousand pounds sterling, to be paid from the sale of
such parts of Rochdale, Newstead, or elsewhere, as may enable the said
Nicolo Giraud (resident at Athens and Malta in the year 1810) to
receive the above sum on his attaining the age of twenty-one years.

To William Fletcher, Joseph Murray, and Demetrius Zograffo [1] (native
of Greece), servants, the sum of fifty pounds pr. ann. each, for their
natural lives. To Wm. Fletcher, the Mill at Newstead, on condition
that he payeth rent, but not subject to the caprice of the landlord.
To Rt. Rushton the sum of fifty pounds per ann. for life, and a
further sum of one thousand pounds on attaining the age of twenty-five
years.

To Jn. Hanson, Esq. the sum of two thousand pounds sterling.

The claims of S. B. Davies, Esq. to be satisfied on proving the amount
of the same.

The body of Lord B. to be buried in the vault of the garden of
Newstead, without any ceremony or burial-service whatever, or any
inscription, save his name and age. His dog not to be removed from the
said vault.

My library and furniture of every description to my friends Jn. Cam
Hobhouse, Esq., and S. B. Davies, Esq., my executors. In case of their
decease, the Rev. J. Becher, of Southwell, Notts., and R. C. Dallas,
Esq., of Mortlake, Surrey, to be executors. [2]

The produce of the sale of Wymondham in Norfolk, and the late Mrs.
B.'s Scotch property, [3] to be appropriated in aid of the payment of
debts and legacies.

This is the last will and testament of me, the Rt. Honble George
Gordon, Lord Byron, Baron Byron of Rochdale, in the county of
Lancaster.--I desire that my body may be buried in the vault of the
garden of Newstead, without any ceremony or burial-service whatever,
and that no inscription, save my name and age, be written on the tomb
or tablet; and it is my will that my faithful dog may not be removed
from the said vault. To the performance of this my particular desire,
I rely on the attention of my executors hereinafter named.

==It is submitted to Lord Byron whether this clause relative to the
funeral had not better be omitted. The substance of it can be given
in a letter from his Lordship to the executors, and accompany the
will; and the will may state that the funeral shall be performed in
such manner as his Lordship may by letter direct, and, in default of
any such letter, then at the discretion of his executors== [4].

It must stand.

B.

I do hereby specifically order and direct that all the claims of the
said S. B. Davies upon me shall be fully paid and satisfied as soon as
conveniently may be after my decease, on his proving {by vouchers, or
otherwise, to the satisfaction of my executors hereinafter named} [5]
the amount thereof, and the correctness of the same.

==If Mr, Davies has any unsettled claims upon Lord Byron, that
circumstance is a reason for his not being appointed executor; each
executor having an opportunity of paying himself his own debt
without consulting his co-executors.==

So much the better--if possible, let him be an executor.

B.

[Footnote 1:

"If the papers lie not (which they generally do), Demetrius Zograffo
of Athens is at the head of the Athenian part of the Greek
insurrection. He was my servant in 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, at
different intervals of those years (for I left him in Greece when I
went to Constantinople), and accompanied me to England in 1811: he
returned to Greece, spring, 1812. He was a clever, but not
_apparently_ an enterprising man; but circumstances make men. His two
sons (_then_ infants) were named Miltiades and Alcibiades: may the
omen be happy!"

Byron's MS. Journal, quoted by Moore, 'Life', p. 131.]

[Footnote 2: In the clause enumerating the names and places of abode of
the executors, the solicitor had left blanks for the Christian names of
these gentlemen, and Lord Byron, having filled up all but that of
Dallas, writes in the margin, "I forget the Christian name of Dallas
--cut him out."]

[Footnote 3: On the death of Mrs. Byron, the sum of L4200, the remains
of the price of the estate of Gight were paid over to Byron by her
trustee.]

[Footnote 4: The passages printed ==thus== are suggestions made by the
solicitors.]

[Footnote 5: Over the words placed {between brackets}, Byron drew his pen.]

164.--To----Bolton.

Newstead Abbey, August 16, 1811.

SIR,--I have answered the queries on the margin. I wish Mr. Davies's
claims to be most fully allowed, and, further, that he be one of my
executors. I wish the will to be made in a manner to prevent all
discussion, if possible, after my decease; and this I leave to you as
a professional gentleman.

With regard to the few and simple directions for the disposal of my
_carcass_, I must have them implicitly fulfilled, as they will, at
least, prevent trouble and expense;--and (what would be of little
consequence to me, but may quiet the conscience of the survivors) the
garden is _consecrated_ ground. These directions are copied verbatim
from my former will; the alterations in other parts have arisen from
the death of Mrs. B. I have the honour to be,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

BYRON.

165.--To--Bolton.

Newstead Abbey, August 20, 1811.

Sir,--The witnesses shall be provided from amongst
my tenants, and I shall be happy to see you on any day
most convenient to yourself. I forgot to mention, that
it must be specified by codicil, or otherwise, that my
body is on no account to be removed from the vault
where I have directed it to be placed; and in case any
of my successors within the entail (from bigotry, or
otherwise) might think proper to remove the carcass,
such proceeding shall be attended by forfeiture of the
estate, which in such case shall go to my sister, the
Hon'ble Augusta Leigh and her heirs on similar conditions.
I have the honour to be, sir,

Your very obedient, humble servant,

BYRON.

166.--To the Hon. Augusta Leigh.

Newstead Abbey, August 21st, 1811.

My Dear Sister,--I ought to have answered your letter before, but when
did I ever do any-thing that I ought?

I am losing my relatives & you are adding to the number of yours; but
which is best, God knows;--besides poor Mrs. Byron, I have been
deprived by death of two most particular friends within little more
than a month; but as all observations on such subjects are superfluous
and unavailing, I leave the dead to their rest, and return to the dull
business of life, which however presents nothing very pleasant to me
either in prospect or retrospection.

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