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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[Signature cut out.]

[Footnote 1: Words in square brackets accidentally torn off the edge of
the paper, and conjecturally supplied.]

47.--To his Mother.

16, Piccadilly, Febry. 26, 1806.

Dear Mother,--Notwithstanding your sage and economical advice I have
paid my _Harrow_ Debts, as I can better afford to wait for the Money
than the poor Devils who were my creditors. I have also discharged my
college Bills amounting to L231,--L75 of which I shall trouble Hanson
to repay, being for Furniture, and as my allowance is L500 per annum,
I do not chuse to lose the overplus as it makes only L125 per Quarter.
I happen to have a few hundreds in ready Cash by me, [1] so I have
paid the accounts; but I find it inconvenient to remain at College,
not for the expence, as I could live on my allowance (only I am
naturally extravagant); however the mode of going on does not suit my
constitution. Improvement at an English University to a Man of Rank
is, you know, impossible, and the very Idea _ridiculous_. Now I
sincerely desire to finish my Education and, having been sometime at
Cambridge, the Credit of the University is as much attached to my
Name, as if I had pursued my Studies _there_ for a Century; but,
believe me, it is nothing more than a Name, which is already acquired.
I can now leave it with Honour, as I have paid everything, & wish to
pass a couple of years abroad, where I am certain of employing my time
to far more advantage and at much less expence, than at our English
Seminaries. 'Tis true I cannot enter France; but Germany and the
Courts of Berlin, Vienna & Petersburg are still open, I shall lay the
Plan before Hanson & Lord C. I presume you will all agree, and if you
do not, I will, if possible, get away without your Consent, though I
should admire it more in the regular manner & with a Tutor of your
furnishing. This is my project, at present I wish _you_ to be silent
to Hanson about it. Let me have your Answer. I intend remaining in
Town a Month longer, when perhaps I shall bring my Horses and myself
down to your residence in that _execrable_ Kennel. I hope you have
engaged a Man Servant, else it will be impossible for me to visit you,
since my Servant must attend chiefly to his horses; at the same Time
you must cut an indifferent Figure with only maids in your habitation.

I remain, your's,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1:

"The Bills," writes Mrs. Byron to Hanson (January 11, 1806), "are
coming in thick upon me to double the amount I expected; he went and
ordered just what he pleased here, at Nottingham, and in London.
However, it is of no use to say anything about it, and I beg you will
take no notice. I am determined to have everything clear within the
year, if possible."

Again she writes (March 1, 1806):

"I beg you will not mention to my son, having heard from me, but try
to get out of him his reason for wishing to leave England, and where
he got the money. I much fear he has fallen into bad hands, not only
in regard to Money Matters, but in other respects. My idea is that he
has inveigled himself with some woman that he wishes to get rid of and
finds it difficult. But whatever it is, he must be got out of it."

Again (March 4, 1806):

"That Boy will be the death of me, and drive me mad! I never will
consent to his going Abroad. Where can he get Hundreds? Has he got
into the hands of Moneylenders? He has no feeling, no Heart. This I
have long known; he has behaved as ill as possible to me for years
back. This bitter Truth I can no longer conceal: it is wrung from me
by _heart-rending agony_. I am well rewarded. I came to
Nottinghamshire to please him, and now he hates it. He knows that I am
doing everything in my power to pay his Debts, and he writes to me
about hiring servants!"

Once more (April 24, 1806):

"Lord Byron has given L31 10s. to Pitt's statue. He has also bought a
Carriage, which he says was intended for me, which I _refused_ to
accept of, being in hopes it would stop his having one."]

48.--To John Hanson.

16, Piccadilly, March 3, 1806.

Sir,--I called at your House in Chancery Lane yesterday Evening, as I
expected you would have been in Town, but was disappointed. If
convenient, I should be glad to see you on Wednesday Morning about one
o'Clock, as I wish for your advice on some Business. On Saturday one
of my Horses threw me; I was stunned for a short time, but soon
recovered and suffered no material _Injury_; the accident happened on
the Harrow Road. I have paid Jones's Bill amounting to L231.4.5 of
which I expect to be reimbursed L75 for Furniture. I have got his
Bankers' receipt and the account ready for your Inspection. I now owe
nothing at Cambridge; but shall not return this Term, [1] as I have
been extremely _unwell_, and at the same time can stay where I am at
much less Expence and _equal Improvement_. I wish to consult you on
several Subjects and expect you will pay me a visit on Wednesday; in
the mean time,

I remain, yours, etc., BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Lectures began on February 5, 1806, as is stated on the
College bills, sent in by Mr. Jones, the Senior Tutor of Trinity. But
Byron preferred to remain in London. Augusta Byron writes to Hanson
(March 7, 1806)----

"I trouble you again in consequence of some conversation I had last
night with Lord Carlisle about my Brother. He expressed himself to me
as kindly on that subject as on all others, and though he says it may
not be productive of any good, and that he may be only _able to join
his lamentations_ with yours, he should like to talk to you and try if
anything can be done. I was much surprized and vexed to see my Brother
a week ago at the Play, as I think he ought to be employing his time
more profitably at Cambridge."]

49.--To John Hanson.

16, Piccadilly, near Park Lane, 10th March, 1806.

SIR,--As in all probability you will not make your appearance tomorrow
I must disclose by Letter the Business I intended to have discussed at
our interview.--We know each other sufficiently to render Apology
unnecessary. I shall therefore without further Prelude proceed to the
Subject in Question. You are not ignorant, that I have lately lived at
considerable Expence, to support which my allotted Income by the
'sapient' Court of Chancery is inadequate.--I confess I have
borrowed a trifling sum and now wish to raise L500 to discharge some
Debts I have contracted; my approaching Quarter will bring me L200 due
from my Allowance, and if you can procure me the other L300 at a
moderate Interest, it will save 100 per cent I must pay my _Israelite_
for the same purpose.--You see by this I have an _excellent_ Idea of
Oeconomy even in my Extravagance by being willing to pay as little
Money as possible, for the Cash must be disbursed _somewhere_ or
_somehow_, and if you decline (as in prudence I tell you fairly you
ought), the _Tribe_ of _Levi_ will be my _dernier resort_. However I
thought proper to make this Experiment with very slender hopes of
success indeed, since Recourse to the _Law_ is at best a _desperate_
effort. I have now laid open my affairs to you without Disguise and
Stated the Facts as they appear, declining all Comments, or the use of
any Sophistry to palliate my application, or urge my request. All I
desire is a speedy Answer, whether successful or not.

Believe me, yours truly, BYRON.

50.--To John Hanson.

16, Piccadilly, 25th March, 1806.

SIR,--Your last Letter, as I expected, contained much advice, but no
Money. I could have excused the former unaccompanied by the latter,
since any one thinks himself capable of giving that, but very few
chuse to own themselves competent to the other. I do not now write to
urge a 2nd Request, one Denial is sufficient. I only require what is
my right. This is Lady Day. L125 is due for my last Quarter, and L75
for my expenditure in Furniture at Cambridge and I will thank you to
remit.

The Court of Chancery may perhaps put in Force your Threat. I have
always understood it formed a Sanction for legal plunderers to
protract the Decision of Justice from year to year, till weary of
spoil it at length condescended to give Sentence, but I never yet
understood even its unhallowed Hands preyed upon the Orphan it was
bound to protect. Be it so, only let me have your answer.

I remain, etc., etc., BYRON.

51.--To Henry Angelo. [1]
Trinity College, Cambridge, May 16, 1806.

SIR,--You cannot be more indignant, at the insolent and unmerited
conduct of Mr. Mortlock, [2] than those who authorised you to request
his permission. However we do not yet despair of gaining our point,
and every effort shall be made to remove the obstacles, which at
present prevent the execution of our project. I yesterday waited on
the Master of this College, [3] who, having a personal dispute with the
Mayor, declined interfering, but recommended an application to the
Vice Chancellor, whose authority is paramount in the University. I
shall communicate this to Lord Altamount,[4] and we will endeavour to
bend the obstinacy of the _upstart_ magistrate, who seems to be
equally deficient in justice and common civility. On my arrival in
town, which will take place in a few days, you will see me at Albany
Buildings, when we will discuss the subject further. Present my
remembrance to the Messrs. Angelo, junior, and believe me, we will yet
_humble_ this _impertinent bourgeois_.

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Henry Angelo, the famous fencing-master, was at the head of
his profession for nearly forty years. His position was recognized at
least as early as 1787, when he published _The School of Fencing_, and
fenced, with the Chevalier de St. George and other celebrities, before
the Prince of Wales at Carlton House. In 1806 he was travelling down
every other week to Cambridge, as he states in his _Pic Nic_ (1837), to
visit his pupils. He had made Byron's acquaintance at Harrow by teaching
him to fence, and in later years had many bouts with him with the foils,
single-sticks, and Highland broadsword. His _Reminiscences_ (1830),
together with his _Pic Nic_, contain numerous anecdotes of Byron, to
whom he seems to have been sincerely attached. In 1806 he had several
rooms in London for the use of his pupils. One of these was at 13, Bond
Street, which he shared with Gentleman Jackson, the pugilist and
ex-champion. In Cruikshank's picture of the room (Pierce Egan's _Life in
London_, p. 254), two fencers have unmasked and stopped their bout to
see Jackson spar with Corinthian Tom. Angelo contributed an article on
fencing to Sir John Sinclair's _Code of Health and Longevity_, vol. ii.
p. 163.

Angelo, who retired from London in 1821, and lived near Bath, was in
1806 at the height of his reputation. An old Etonian (1767), he knew
every one in London; had dined at the same table with the Prince of
Wales, acted with Lord Barrymore, sung comic songs with Dibdin, punned
with Bannister and Colman, fished at Benham on the invitation of the
Margravine of Anspach, played the flute to Lady Melfort's accompaniment
on the piano, and claimed his share of the table-talk at the Keep Line
Club. Nearly every celebrity of the day, from Lord Sidmouth and Lord
Liverpool to Kean and Macready, was his pupil.]

[Footnote 2: Mr. Mortlock, the Mayor of Cambridge, is thus mentioned in
a letter from S. T. Coleridge to Southey, dated September 26, 1794: "All
last night I was obliged to listen to the damned chatter of "Mortlock,
our mayor, a fellow that would certainly be a pantisocrat "were his head
and heart as highly illuminated as his face. In the tropical latitude of
this fellow's nose was I obliged to fry" (_Letters of S. T. Coleridge_
(1895), vol. i. p. 87).]

[Footnote 3: William Lort Mansel, Master of Trinity, and Bishop of
Bristol. (See page 84 [Letter 40], [Foot]note 1.)]

[Footnote 4: Howe Peter Browne, Lord Altamont (1788-1845), of Jesus
College, succeeded his father in 1809 as second Marquis of Sligo. Byron
spent some time with him at Athens in 1810. Lord Sligo's letter on the
origin of the 'Giaour' is quoted by Moore ('Life', p. 178). (See also
page 289 [Letter 144], [Foot]note 1 [3].)]

52.--To John M. B. Pigot. [1]

16, Piccadilly, August 9, 1806.

MY DEAR PIGOT,--Many thanks for your amusing narrative of the last
proceedings of my amiable Alecto, who now begins to feel the effects
of her folly. I have just received a penitential epistle, to which,
apprehensive of pursuit, I have despatched a moderate answer, with a
_kind_ of promise to return in a fortnight;--this, however (_entre
nous_), I never mean to fulfil. Her soft warblings must have delighted
her auditors, her higher notes being particularly musical, and on a
calm moonlight evening would be heard to great advantage. Had I been
present as a spectator, nothing would have pleased me more; but to
have come forward as one of the _dramatis personae_--St. Dominic
defend me from such a scene! Seriously, your mother has laid me under
great obligations, and you, with the rest of your family, merit my
warmest thanks for your kind connivance at my escape from "Mrs. Byron
_furiosa_."

Oh! for the pen of Ariosto to rehearse, in epic, the scolding of that
momentous eve,--or rather, let me invoke the shade of Dante to inspire
me, for none but the author of the Inferno could properly preside over
such an attempt. But, perhaps, where the pen might fail, the pencil
would succeed. What a group!--Mrs. B. the principal figure; you
cramming your ears with cotton, as the only antidote to total
deafness; Mrs.----in vain endeavouring to mitigate the wrath of the
lioness robbed of her whelp; and last, though not least, Elizabeth and
_Wousky_,--wonderful to relate!--both deprived of their parts of
speech, and bringing up the rear in mute astonishment. How did S. B.
receive the intelligence? How many _puns_ did he utter on so
_facetious_ an event? In your next inform me on this point, and what
excuse you made to A. You are probably, by this time, tired of
deciphering this hieroglyphical letter;--like Tony Lumpkin, you will
pronounce mine to be "a damned up and down hand." All Southwell,
without doubt, is involved in amazement. _Apropos_, how does my
blue-eyed nun, the fair----? Is she "_robed in sable garb of woe?_"

Here I remain at least a week or ten days; previous to my departure
you shall receive my address, but what it will be I have not
determined. My lodgings must be kept secret from Mrs. B. You may
present my compliments to her, and say any attempt to pursue me will
fail, as I have taken measures to retreat immediately to Portsmouth,
on the first intimation of her removal from Southwell. You may add, I
have proceeded to a friend's house in the country, there to remain a
fortnight.

I have now _blotted_ (I must not say written) a complete double
letter, and in return shall expect a _monstrous budget_. Without
doubt, the dames of Southwell reprobate the pernicious example I have
shown, and tremble lest their _babes_ should disobey their mandates,
and quit, in dudgeon, their mammas on any grievance. Adieu. When you
begin your next, drop the "lordship," and put "Byron" in its place.

Believe me yours, etc.,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: J. M. B. Pigot, eldest brother of Miss E. B. Pigot (see
Letter of August 29, 1804, page 32, note 1). To him Byron addressed
his "Reply" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 53-56) and verses "To the Sighing
Strephon" ('Ibid'., pp. 63-66). In 1805-6 Pigot was studying medicine at
Edinburgh, and in his vacations saw much of Byron. He died at
Ruddington, Notts., November 26, 1871, aged 86. It would appear that
Byron had, with the connivance of the Pigots, escaped to London, after a
quarrel with his mother; but the caution to keep his lodgings secret
gives a theatrical air to the letter, as the rooms, kept by Mrs.
Massingberd, were originally taken by Mrs. Byron, and often occupied by
her, and she was at the time corresponding with Hanson about her son's
debt to Mrs. Massingberd, who seems to have been both landlady and
money-lender to Byron.]

53.--To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot.

London, August 10, 1806.

MY DEAR BRIDGET,--As I have already troubled your brother with more
than he will find pleasure in deciphering, you are the next to whom I
shall assign the employment of perusing this second epistle. You will
perceive from my first, that no idea of Mrs. B.'s arrival had
disturbed me at the time it was written; _not_ so the present, since
the appearance of a note from the _illustrious cause_ of my _sudden
decampment_ has driven the "natural ruby from my cheeks," and
completely blanched my woebegone countenance. This gunpowder
intimation of her arrival (confound her activity!) breathes less of
terror and dismay than you will probably imagine, from the volcanic
temperament of her ladyship; and concludes with the comfortable
assurance of _present motion_ being prevented by the fatigue of her
journey, for which my _blessings_ are due to the rough roads and
restive quadrupeds of his Majesty's highways. As I have not the
smallest inclination to be chased round the country, I shall e'en make
a merit of necessity; and since, like Macbeth, "they've tied me to the
stake, I cannot fly," I shall imitate that valorous tyrant, and
bear-like fight the "course," all escape being precluded. I can now
engage with less disadvantage, having drawn the enemy from her
intrenchments, though, like the _prototype_ to whom I have compared
myself, with an excellent chance of being knocked on the head.
However, "lay on Macduff", and "damned be he who first cries, Hold,
enough."

I shall remain in town for, at least, a week, and expect to hear from
_you_ before its expiration. I presume the printer has brought you the
offspring of my _poetic mania_. [1] Remember in the first line to read
"_loud_ the winds whistle," instead of "round," which that blockhead
Ridge had inserted by mistake, and makes nonsense of the whole stanza.
Addio!--Now to encounter my _Hydra_.

Yours ever.

[Footnote 1: Byron's first volume of verse was now in the press. The
line to which he alludes is the first line of the poem, "On Leaving
Newstead Abbey" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 1-4). It now runs--

"Through thy battlements, Newstead, the hollow winds whistle."

(For the bibliography of his early poems, see 'Poems', vol. i.,
Bibliographical Note; and vol. vi., Appendix.) The first collection
('Fugitive Pieces', printed by S. and J. Ridge, Newark, 4to, 1806) was
destroyed, with the exception of two copies, by the advice of the Rev.
J. T. Becher (see page 182 [Letter 94], [Foot]note 1 [2]). The second
collection ('Poems on Various Occasions', printed by S. and J. Ridge,
Newark, 12mo, 1807) was published anonymously. It is to this edition
that Letters 60, 61, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, refer.

In the summer of 1807, 'Poems on Various Occasions' was superseded by
the third collection, called 'Hours of Idleness' (printed by S. and J.
Ridge, Newark, 12mo, 1807), published with the author's name. To this
edition Letters 76 and 78 refer. 'Hours of Idleness' was reviewed by
Lord Brougham ('Notes from a Diary', by Sir M. E. Grant Duff, vol. ii.
p. 189) in the 'Edinburgh Review' for January, 1808.

The fourth and final collection, entitled 'Poems Original and
Translated' (printed by S. and J. Ridge, Newark, 12mo, 1808), was
dedicated to the Earl of Carlisle.

54.--To John M. B. Pigot.

London, Sunday, midnight, August 10, 1806.

Dear Pigot,--This _astonishing_ packet will, doubtless, amaze you; but
having an idle hour this evening, I wrote the enclosed stanzas, [2]
which I request you will deliver to Ridge, to be printed _separate_
from my other compositions, as you will perceive them to be improper
for the perusal of ladies; of course, none of the females of your
family must see them. I offer 1000 apologies for the trouble I have
given you in this and other instances.

Yours truly.

[Footnote 1: These are probably some silly lines "To Mary," written in
the erotic style of Moore's early verse. To the same Mary, of whom
nothing is known, are addressed the lines "To Mary, on receiving her
Picture" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 32, 33).]

55.--To John M. B. Pigot.

Piccadilly, August 16, 1806.

I cannot exactly say with Caesar, "Veni, vidi, vici:" however, the
most important part of his laconic account of success applies to my
present situation; for, though Mrs. Byron took the _trouble_ of
"_coming_," and "_seeing_," yet your humble servant proved the
_victor_. After an obstinate engagement of some hours, in which we
suffered considerable damage, from the quickness of the enemy's fire,
they at length retired in confusion, leaving behind the artillery,
field equipage, and some prisoners: their defeat is decisive for the
present campaign. To speak more intelligibly, Mrs. B. returns
immediately, but I proceed, with all my laurels, to Worthing, on the
Sussex coast; to which place you will address (to be left at the post
office) your next epistle. By the enclosure of a second _gingle of
rhyme_, you will probably conceive my muse to be _vastly prolific_;
her inserted production was brought forth a few years ago, and found
by accident on Thursday among some old papers. I have recopied it,
and, adding the proper date, request that it may be printed with the
rest of the family. I thought your sentiments on the last bantling
would coincide with mine, but it was impossible to give it any other
garb, being founded on _facts_. My stay at Worthing will not exceed
three weeks, and you may _possibly_ behold me again at Southwell the
middle of September.

Will you desire Ridge to suspend the printing of my poems till he
hears further from me, as I have determined to give them a new form
entirely? This prohibition does not extend to the two last pieces I
have sent with my letters to you. You will excuse the _dull vanity_ of
this epistle, as my brain is a _chaos_ of absurd images, and full of
business, preparations, and projects.

I shall expect an answer with impatience;--believe me, there is
nothing at this moment could give me greater delight than your letter.

56.--To John M. B. Pigot.

London, August 18, 1806.

I am just on the point of setting off for Worthing, and write merely
to request you will send that _idle scoundrel Charles_ with my horses
immediately; tell him I am excessively provoked he has not made his
appearance before, or written to inform me of the cause of his delay,
particularly as I supplied him with money for his journey. On _no_
pretext is he to postpone his _march_ one day longer; and if, in
obedience to the caprices of Mrs. B. (who, I presume, is again
spreading desolation through her little monarchy), he thinks proper to
disregard my positive orders, I shall not, in future, consider him as
my servant. He must bring the surgeon's bill with him, which I will
discharge immediately on receiving it. Nor can I conceive the reason
of his not acquainting Frank with the state of my unfortunate
quadrupeds. Dear Pigot, forgive this _petulant_ effusion, and
attribute it to the idle conduct of that _precious_ rascal, who,
instead of obeying my injunctions, is sauntering through the streets
of that _political Pandemonium_, Nottingham. Present my remembrance to
your family and the Leacrofts, and believe me, etc.

P.S.--I delegate to _you_ the unpleasant task of despatching him on
his journey--Mrs. B.'s orders to the contrary are not to be attended
to: he is to proceed first to London, and then to Worthing, without
delay. Every thing I have _left_ must be sent to London. My _Poetics
you_ will _pack up_ for the same place, and not even reserve a copy
for yourself and sister, as I am about to give them an _entire new
form_: when they are complete, you shall have the _first fruits_. Mrs.
B. on no account is to _see_ or touch them. Adieu.

57.--To John M. B. Pigot.

Little Hampton, August 26, 1806.

I this morning received your epistle, which I was obliged to send for
to Worthing, whence I have removed to this place, on the same coast,
about eight miles distant from the former. You will probably not be
displeased with this letter, when it informs you that I am L30,000
richer than I was at our parting, having just received intelligence
from my lawyer that a cause has been gained at Lancaster assizes, [1]
which will be worth that sum by the time I come of age. Mrs. B. is,
doubtless, acquainted of this acquisition, though not apprised of its
exact _value_, of which she had better be ignorant; for her behaviour
under any sudden piece of favourable intelligence, is, if possible,
more ridiculous than her detestable conduct on the most trifling
circumstances of an unpleasant nature. You may give my compliments to
her, and say that her detaining my servant's things shall only
lengthen my absence: for unless they are immediately despatched to 16,
Piccadilly, together with those which have been so long delayed,
belonging to myself, she shall never again behold my _radiant
countenance_ illuminating her gloomy mansion. If they are sent, I may
probably appear in less than two years from the date of my present
epistle.

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