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

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Pray give my best Compliments to Mrs. Hanson and the now
_quilldriving_ Hargreaves [2]. Till I see you, I remain, Yours, etc.,
BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Byron spent the Christmas holidays of 1804-5 with the
Hansons. He gave Hanson to understand that it was his wish to leave the
school, and that Dr. Drury agreed with him in the decision. Hanson,
after consulting Lord Carlisle, wrote to Drury, urging that Byron was
too young to leave the school. Drury's reply, dated December 29, 1804,
gave a different colour to the matter.

"Your letter," he writes, "supposes that Lord Byron was desirous to
leave school, and that I acquiesced in his Wish: but I must do him the
Justice to observe that _the wish originated with me._ During his last
residence at Harrow his conduct gave me much trouble and uneasiness;
and as two of his Associates were to leave me at Christmas, I
certainly suggested to him _my wish_ that he might be placed under the
care of some private Tutor previously to his admission to either of
the Universities. This I did no less with a view to the forming of his
mind and manners, than to my own comfort; and I am fully convinced
that if such a situation can be procured for his Lordship, it will be
much more advantageous for him than a longer residence at school,
where his animal spirits and want of judgment may induce him to do
wrong, whilst his age and person must prevent his Instructors from
treating him in some respects as a schoolboy. If we part now, we may
entertain affectionate dispositions towards each other, and his
Lordship will have left the school with credit; as my dissatisfactions
were expressed to him only privately, and in such a manner as not to
affect his public situation in the school."

Finally, however, Dr. Drury, yielding to the appeal of Lord Carlisle and
Hanson, allowed the boy to return to Harrow, and Byron remained at the
school till July, 1805, the last three months being passed under the
rule of Dr. Butler.]

[Footnote 2: Hargreaves Hanson, second son of John Hanson, had just left
Harrow, and was articled as a pupil in his father's business. He died in
1811, at the age of 23.]

19.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

6, Chancery Lane, Wednesday, 30th Jany., 1805.

I have delayed writing to you so long, My dearest Augusta, from
ignorance of your residence, not knowing whether you _graced_ Castle
Howard, or Kireton with your _presence._ The instant Mr. H[anson]
informed me where you was, I prepared to address you, and you have but
just forestalled my intention. And now, I scarcely know what to begin
with; I have so many things, to tell you. I wish to God, that we were
together, for It is impossible that I can confine all I have got to
say in an epistle, without I was to follow your example, and fill
eleven pages, as I was informed, by my _proficiency_ in _the art of
magic,_ that you sometimes send that _number_ to _Lady Gertrude._

To begin with an article of _grand importance;_ I on Saturday dined
with Lord Carlisle, and on further acquaintance I like them all very
much. Amongst other circumstances, I heard of your _boldness_ as a
_Rider,_ especially one anecdote about your horse carrying you into
the stable _perforce._ I should have admired amazingly to have seen
your progress, provided you met with no accident. I hope you recollect
the circumstance, and know what I allude to; else, you may think that
I am _soaring_ into the _Regions of Romance._ I wish you to
corroborate my account in your next, and inform me whether my
information was correct.

I think your friend Lady G. is a sweet girl. If your taste in _love_,
is as good as it is in _friendship_, I shall think you a _very
discerning little Gentlewoman_. His Lordship too improves upon further
acquaintance, Her Ladyship I always liked, but of the Junior part of
the family Frederick [1] is my favourite. I believe with regard to my
future destination, that I return to Harrow until June, and then I'm
off for the university. Could I have found Room there, I was to have
gone immediately.

I have contrived to pass the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, to
whom I am greatly obliged for their hospitality. You are now within a
days journey of my _amiable Mama_. If you wish your spirits _raised_,
or rather _roused_, I would recommend you to pass a week or two with
her. However I daresay she would behave very well to _you_, for you do
not know her disposition so well as I do. I return you, my dear Girl,
a thousand thanks for hinting to Mr. H. and Lord C. my uncomfortable
situation, I shall always remember it with gratitude, as a most
_essential service_. I rather think that, if you were any time with my
mother, she would bore you about your marriage which she _disapproves_
of, as much for the sake of finding fault as any thing, for that is
her favourite amusement. At any rate she would be very inquisitive,
for she was always tormenting me about it, and, if you told her any
thing, she might very possibly divulge it; I therefore advise you,
_when you see her_ to say nothing, or as little, about it, as you can
help. If you make haste, you can answer this _well written_ epistle by
return of post, for I wish again to hear from you immediately; you
need not fill _eleven pages, nine_ will be sufficient; but whether it
contains nine pages or nine lines, it will always be most welcome, my
beloved Sister, to Your affectionate Brother and Friend, BYRON.

[Footnote 1: The Hon. Frederick Howard, third son of Lord Carlisle, the
"young, gallant Howard" of _Childe Harold_ (Canto III. stanzas xxix,
xxx; see Byron's note), was killed at Waterloo. "The best of his race,"
says Byron, in a letter to Moore, July 7, 1815.]

20.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[London], Thursday, 4th April, 1805.

MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--You certainly have excellent reasons for
complaint against my want of punctuality in our correspondence; but,
as it does not proceed from want of affection, but an idle
disposition, you will, I hope, accept my excuses. I am afraid,
however, that when I shall take up my pen, you will not be greatly
_edified_ or _amused_, especially at present, since, I sit down in
very bad spirits, out of humour with myself, and all the world, except
_you_. I left Harrow yesterday, and am now at Mr. Hanson's till Sunday
morning, when I depart for Nottinghamshire, to pay a visit to my
_mother_, with whom I shall remain for a week or two, when I return to
town, and from thence to Harrow, until July, when I take my departure
for the university, but which I am as yet undecided. Mr. H. Recommends
Cambridge; Ld. Carlisle allows me to chuse for myself, and I must own
I prefer Oxford. But, I am not violently bent upon it, and whichever
is determined upon will meet with my concurrence.--This is the outline
of my plans for the next 6 months.

I am Glad that you are Going to pay his _Lordship_ a visit, as I shall
have an opportunity of seeing you on my return to town, a pleasure,
which, as I have been long debarred of it, will be doubly felt after
so long a separation. My visit to the Dowager does not promise me all
the happiness I could wish; however, it must be gone through, as it is
some time since I have seen her. It shall be as short as possible. I
shall expect to find a letter from you, when I come down, as I wish to
know when you go to town, and how long you remain there. If you stay
till The middle of next month, you may have an opportunity of hearing
me speak, as the first day of our _Harrow orations_ occurs in May. My
friend Delawarr [1], (as you observed) danced with the little
Princess, nor did I in the least _envy_ him the honour. I presume you
have heard That Dr. Drury leaves Harrow this Easter, and That, as a
memorial of our Gratitude for his long services, The scholars
presented him with plate to the amount of 330 Guineas.

I hope you will excuse this _Hypocondriac_ epistle, as I never was in
such low spirits in my life. Adieu, my Dearest Sister, and believe me,

Your ever affectionate though negligent Brother, BYRON.

[Footnote 1: On February 25, 1805, their Majesties gave a magnificent
"house-warming" at Windsor Castle.

"The expenditure," says the 'Gentleman's Magazine' for 1805 (part
i. pp. 262-264), "cannot have cost less than L50,000. The floor of the
ball-room, instead of being chalked, was painted with most fanciful
and appropriate devices by an eminent artist." The "little Princess"
Charlotte of Wales, we are told, left the Castle at half-past nine.]

21.--To Hargreaves Hanson.

Burgage Manor, Southwell, Notts, 15 April, 1805.

DEAR HARGREAVES,--As I have been unable to return to Town with your
father, I must request, that you will take care of my Books, and a
parcel which I expect from my Taylor's, and, as I understand you are
going to pay Farleigh a visit, I would be obliged to you to leave them
under the care of one of the Clerks, or a Servant, who may inform me
where to find them. I shall be in Town on Wednesday the 24th at
furthest, when I shall not hope to see you, or wish it; not but what I
should be glad of your _entertaining and loquacious Society_, but as I
think you will be more amused at Farleigh, it would be selfish in me
to wish that you should forego the pleasures of contemplating _pigs_,
_poultry_, _pork_, _pease_, and _potatoes_ together, with other Rural
Delights, for my Company. Much pleasure may you find in your excursion
and I dare say, when you have exchanged _pleadings_ for _ploughshares_
and _fleecing clients_ for _feeding flocks_, you will be in no hurry
to resume your Law Functions.

Remember me to your Father and Mother and the Juniors, and if you
should find it convenient to dispatch a note in answer to this
epistle, it will afford great pleasure to

Yours very sincerely and affectionately,

BYRON.

P.S.--It is hardly necessary to inform you that I am heartily tired of
Southwell, for I am at this minute experiencing those delights which I
have recapitulated to you and which are more entertaining to be
_talked_ of at a distance than enjoyed at Home. I allude to the
Eloquence of a _near relation_ of mine, which is as remarkable as your
_taciturnity_.

22.--To Hargreaves Hanson.

Burgage Manor, April 20, 1805.

Dear Hargreaves,--Dr. Butler, [1] our new Master, has thought proper
to postpone our Meeting till the 8th of May, which obliges me to delay
my return to Town for one week, so that instead of Wednesday the 24th
I shall not arrive in London till the 1st of May, on which Day (If I
live) I shall certainly be in town, where I hope to have the pleasure
of seeing you. I shall remain with you only a week, as we are all to
return to the very day, on account of the prolongation of our
Holidays. However, if you shall previous to that period take a _jaunt_
into Hants, I beg you will leave my _valuables_, etc., etc., in the
care of one of the _Gentlemen_ of your office, as that _Razor faced
Villain_, James, might perhaps take the Liberty of walking off with a
suit. I have heard several times from Tattersall [2] and it is very
probable we may see him on my return. I beg you will excuse this short
epistle as my time is at present rather taken up, and Believe Me,

Yours very sincerely,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: The Rev. George Butler (1774-1853), who was Senior Wrangler
(1794), succeeded Dr. Drury as Head-master of Harrow School in April,
1805. He was then Fellow, tutor, and classical lecturer at Sydney Sussex
College, Cambridge. From affection to Dr. Drury, Byron supported the
candidature of his brother, Mark Drury, and avenged himself on Butler
for the defeat of his candidate by the lines on "Pomposus" (see 'Poems',
vol. i. pp. 16, 17, "On a Change of Masters," etc.; and pp. 84-106,
"Childish Recollections"). At a later period he became reconciled to
Butler, who knew the Continent well, was an excellent linguist, and gave
him valuable advice for his foreign tour in 1809-11. Butler resigned the
Head-mastership of Harrow in April, 1824, and retired to a country
living. In 1842 he was appointed to the Deanery of Peterborough, where
he died in 1853.]

[Footnote 2: John Cecil Tattersall entered Harrow in May, 1801. He was
the "Davus" of "Childish Recollections" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 97, 98,
and notes). He went from Harrow to Christ Church, Oxford, took orders,
and died December 8, 1812.]

23.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.] Burgage Manor,
April 23d, 1805.

MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--I presume by this time, that you are safely
arrived at the Earl's, at least I _hope_ so; nor shall I feel myself
perfectly easy, till I have the pleasure of hearing from yourself of
your safety. I myself shall set out for town this day (Tuesday) week,
and intend waiting upon you on Thursday at farthest; in the mean time
I must console myself as well as I can; and I am sure, no unhappy
mortal ever required much more consolation than I do at present. You
as well as myself know the _sweet_ and _amiable_ temper of a certain
personage to whom I am nearly related; of _course_, the pleasure I
have enjoyed during my vacation, (although it has been greater than I
expected) yet has not been so _superabundant_ as to make me wish to
stay a day longer than I can avoid. However, notwithstanding the
dullness of the place, and certain _unpleasant things_ that occur In a
family not a hundred miles distant from Southwell, I contrived to pass
my time in peace, till to day, when unhappily, In a most inadvertent
manner, I said that Southwell was not _peculiarly_ to my taste; but
however, I merely expressed this in common conversation, without
speaking disrespectfully of the _sweet_ town; (which, between you and
I, I wish was swallowed up by an earthquake, provided my _Eloquent
mother_ was not in it). No sooner had the unlucky sentence, which I
believe was prompted by my evil Genius, escaped my lips, than I was
treated with an Oration in the _ancient style_, which I have often so
_pathetically_ described to you, unequalled by any thing of _modern_
or _antique_ date; nay the _Philippics_ against Lord Melville [1] were
nothing to it; one would really Imagine, to have heard the _Good
Lady_, that I was a most _treasonable culprit_, but thank St. Peter,
after undergoing this _Purgatory_ for the last hour, it is at length
blown over, and I have sat down under these _pleasing impressions_ to
address you, so that I am afraid my epistle will not be the most
entertaining. I assure you upon my _honour_, jesting apart, I have
never been so _scurrilously_, and _violently_ abused by any person, as
by that woman, whom I think I am to call mother, by that being who
gave me birth, to whom I ought to look up with veneration and respect,
but whom I am sorry I cannot love or admire. Within one little hour, I
have not only heard myself, but have heard my _whole family_, by the
father's side, _stigmatized_ in terms that the _blackest malevolence_
would perhaps shrink from, and that too in words you would be shocked
to hear. Such, Augusta, such is my mother; _my mother!_ I disclaim her
from this time, and although I cannot help treating her with respect,
I cannot reverence, as I ought to do, that parent who by her
outrageous conduct forfeits all title to filial affection. To you,
Augusta, I must look up, as my nearest relation, to you I must confide
what I cannot mention to others, and I am sure you will pity me; but I
entreat you to keep this a secret, nor expose that unhappy failing of
this woman, which I must bear with patience. I would be very sorry to
have it discovered, as I have only one week more, for the present. In
the mean time you may write to me with the greatest safety, as she
would not open any of my letters, even from you. I entreat then that
you will favour me with an answer to this. I hope however to have the
pleasure of seeing you on the day appointed, but If you could contrive
any way that I may avoid being asked to dinner by L'd C. I would be
obliged to you, as I hate strangers. Adieu, my Beloved Sister,

I remain ever yours,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Henry Dundas (1742-1811), created Viscount Melville in
1802, Lord Advocate (1775-83), made himself useful to Lord North's
Government as a shrewd, hard-working man of business, a ready
speaker--in broad Scotch, and a consummate election agent. For twenty
years he was the right-hand man of Pitt--

"Too proud from pilfered greatness to descend,
Too humble not to call Dundas his friend."

Not only was he Pitt's political colleague, but in private life his boon
companion. A well-known epigram commemorates in a dialogue their
convivial habits--

'Pitt'. "I cannot see the Speaker, Hal; can you?"
'Dundas'. "Not see the Speaker, Billy? I see two."

Melville, for a long series of years, held important political posts. He
was Treasurer of the Navy (1782-1800); member of the Board of Control
for India (1784-1802) and President (1790-1802); Home Secretary
(1791-94); Secretary of War (1794-1801); First Lord of the Admiralty
(1804-5). In 1802 a Commission had been appointed to examine into the
accounts of the naval department for the past twenty years, and, in
consequence of their tenth report, a series of resolutions were moved in
the House of Commons (April, 1805) against Melville. The voting was
even--216 for and 216 against; the resolutions were carried by the
casting vote of Speaker Abbott.

"Pitt was overcome; his friend was ruined. At the sound of the
Speaker's voice, the Prime Minister crushed his hat over his brows to
hide the tears that poured over his cheeks: he pushed in haste out of
the House. Some of his opponents, I am ashamed to say, thrust
themselves near, 'to see how Billy took it.'"

(Mark Boyd's 'Reminiscences of Fifty Years', p. 404.) Melville, who was
heard at the bar of the House of Commons in his own defence, was
impeached before the House of Lords (June 26, 1805) of high crimes and
misdemeanours. At the close of the proceedings, which began in
Westminster Hall on April 29, 1806, Melville was acquitted on all the
charges. Whitbread took the leading part in the impeachment. See 'All
the Talents: a Satirical Poem', by Polypus (E. S. Barrett)--

"Rough as his porter, bitter as his barm,
He sacrificed his fame to M--lv--lle's harm."

Dialogue ii.]

24.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.] Burgage Manor,
Southwell, Friday, April 25th, 1805.

My dearest Augusta,--Thank God, I believe I shall be in town on
Wednesday next, and at last relieved from those _agreeable
amusements_, I described to you in my last. I return you and Lady G.
many thanks for your _benediction_, nor do I doubt its efficacy as it
is bestowed by _two such Angelic beings_; but as I am afraid my
_profane blessing_ would but expedite your road to _Purgatory_,
instead of _Salvation_, you must be content with my best wishes in
return, since the _unhallowed adjurations_ of a mere mortal would be
of no effect. You say, you are sick of the Installation; [1] and that
L'd C. was not present; I however saw his name in the _Morning Post_,
as one of the Knights Companions. I indeed expected that _you_ would
have been present at the Ceremony.

I have seen this young Roscius [2] several times at the hazard of my
life, from the _affectionate squeezes_ of the surrounding crowd. I
think him tolerable in some characters, but by no means equal to the
ridiculous praises showered upon him by _John Bull_.

I am afraid that my stay in town ceases after the 10th. I should not
continue it so long, as we meet on the 8th at Harrow, But, I remain on
purpose to hear our _Sapient_ and _noble Legislators_ of Both Houses
debate on the Catholic Question, [3] as I have no doubt there will be
many _nonsensical_, and some _Clever_ things said on the occasion. I
am extremely glad that you _sport_ an audience Chamber for the Benefit
of your _modest_ visitors, amongst whom I have the _honour_ to reckon
myself: I shall certainly be most happy again to see you,
notwithstanding my _wise_ and _Good_ mother (who is at this minute
thundering against Somebody or other below in the Dining Room), has
interdicted my visiting at his _Lordship's_ house, with the threat of
her malediction, in case of disobedience, as she says he has behaved
very ill to her; the truth of this I much doubt, nor should the orders
of all the mothers (especially such mothers) in the world, prevent me
from seeing my Beloved Sister after so long an Absence. I beg you will
forgive this _well written epistle_, for I write in a great Hurry,
and, believe me, with the greatest impatience again to behold you,
your

Attached Brother and [Friend,

BYRON].

P.S.--By the bye Lady G. ought not to complain of your writing a
_decent_ long letter to me, since I remember your _11 Pages_ to her,
at which I did not make the least complaint, but submitted like a
_meek Lamb_ to the innovation of my privileges, for nobody _ought_ to
have had so long an epistle but my _most excellent Self_.

[Footnote 1: On St. George's Day, April 23, 1805, seven Knights were
installed at Windsor as Knights of the Garter, each in turn being
invested with the surcoat, girdle, and sword. The new Knights were the
Dukes of Rutland and Beaufort; the Marquis of Abercorn; the Earls of
Chesterfield, Pembroke, and Winchilsea; and, by proxy, the Earl of
Hardwicke.

Lady Louisa Strangways, writing to her sister, Lady Harriet Frampton, on
April 24, 1805 ('Journal of Mary Frampton', p. 129), says, "I was full
dressed for seventeen hours yesterday, and sat in one spot for seven,
which is enough to tire any one who enjoyed what was going on, which I
did not. I saw them walk to St. George's Chapel, which was the best
part, as it did not last long ... Their dresses were very magnificent.
The Knights, before they were installed, were in white and silver, like
the old pictures of Henry VIII., and afterwards they had a purple mantle
put on. They had immense plumes of ostrich feathers, with a heron's
feather in the middle."]

[Footnote 2: William Henry West Betty (1791-1874), the "Young Roscius,"
made his first appearance on the stage at Belfast, in 1803, in the part
of "Osman," in Hill's 'Zara;' and on December 1, 1804, at Covent Garden,
as "Selim" disguised as "Achmet," in Browne's 'Barbarossa'. In the
winter season of 1804-5, when he appeared at Covent Garden and Drury
Lane, such crowds collected to see him, that the military were called
out to preserve order. Leslie ('Autobiographical Recollections', vol. i.
p. 218) speaks of him as a boy "of handsome features and graceful
manners, with a charming voice." Fox, who saw him in 'Hamlet', said,
"This is finer than Garrick" ('Table-Talk of Samuel Rogers', p. 88).
Northcote ('Conversations', p. 23) spoke of his acting as "a beautiful
effusion of natural sensibility; and then that graceful play of the
limbs in youth gave such an advantage over every one about him." "Young
Roscius's premature powers," writes Mrs. Piozzi, February 21, 1805,
"attract universal attention, and I suppose that if less than an angel
had told 'his' parents that a bulletin of that child's health should be
necessary to quiet the anxiety of a metropolis for his safety, they
would not have believed the prediction" ('Life and Writings of Mrs.
Piozzi', vol. ii. p. 263). In society he was the universal topic of
conversation, and he commanded a salary of L50 a night, at a time when
John Kemble was paid L37 16's'. a week ('Life of Frederick Reynolds',
vol. ii. p. 364).

"When," writes Mrs. Byron of her son to Hanson (December 8, 1804), "he
goes to see the Young Roscius, I hope he will take care of himself in
the crowd, and not go alone."

Betty lost his attractiveness with the growth of his beard. Byron's
opinion of the merits of the youthful prodigy became that of the general
public; but not till the actor had made a large fortune. He retired from
the stage in 1824.]

[Footnote 3: On March 25, 1805, petitions were presented by Lord
Grenville in the House of Lords, and Fox in the House of Commons,
calling the attention of the country to the claims of the Roman
Catholics, and praying their relief from their disabilities, civil,
naval, and military. On Friday, May 10, Lord Grenville moved, in the
Upper House, for a committee of the whole House to consider the
petition. At six o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, May 14, the motion
was negatived by a division of 178 against 49. On Monday, May 13, Fox,
in the Lower House, made a similar motion, which was negatived, at five
o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, May 15, by a division of 336
against 126. Byron, on April 21, 1812, in the second of his three
Parliamentary speeches, supported the relief of the Roman Catholics.]

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