Lord Byron - Delphi Poets Series

by Lord Byron

  ”A letter — and free — bring it here:

  I have no correspondent who franks.

  No! Yes! Can it be? Why, my dear,

  ’Tis our glorious, our Protestant Bankes.

  ’Dear Sir as I know your desire

  That the Church should receive due protection,

  I humbly presume to require

  Your aid at the Cambridge election,’“etc., etc.

  Bankes subsequently represented Marlborough (1829-1832) and Dorsetshire (1833-1834). He was Byron’s “collegiate pastor, and master and patron,” “ruled the roast” at Trinity, “or, rather, the ‘roasting’, and was father of all mischief” (Byron to Murray, October 12, 1820). “William Bankes,” Byron told Lady Blessington (‘Conversations’, p. 172), “is another of my early friends. He is very clever, very original, and has a fund of information: he is also very good-natured, but he is not much of a flatterer.” Bankes died at Venice in 1855.]

  [Footnote 2: Dr. Butler, Head-master of Harrow. (See page 58 [Letter 22],[Foot]note 1.)]

  [Footnote 3: “Thoughts suggested by a College Examination” (‘Poems’, vol. i. pp. 28-31); and “Granta, A Medley” (‘Poems’, vol. i. pp. 56-62).]

  [Footnote 4: Alluding to ‘Gil Blas’, bk. vii. chap, iv., where Gil Blas ventures to criticize the Archbishop’s work, and is dismissed for his candour.

  “Adieu, monsieur Gil Blas; Je vous souhaite toutes sortes de prosperités, avec un peu plus de goût.”]

  [Footnote 5: The praise was worth having. Henry Mackenzie (1745-1831) was not only the author of the lackadaisical ‘Man of Feeling’, but in real life a shrewd, hard-headed man. As a novelist, he wrote ‘The Man of Feeling’ (1771), ‘The Man of Honour’ (1773), and ‘Julia de Roubigne’ (1777). As a playwright, he produced four plays, none of which succeeded. As an essayist, he contributed to the ‘Mirror’ (1779-80) and the ‘Lounger’ (1785-86). As a political writer, he supported Pitt, and was rewarded by the comptrollership of taxes. An original member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, many of his papers appear in its ‘Transactions’. In Edinburgh society he was “the life of the company,” a connecting link on the literary side between David Hume, Walter Scott, and Lord Cockburn, and in all matters of sport a fund of anecdotes and reminiscences.]

  68. — To William Bankes.

  For my own part, I have suffered severely in the decease of my two greatest friends, the only beings I ever loved (females excepted); I am therefore a solitary animal, miserable enough, and so perfectly a citizen of the world, that whether I pass my days in Great Britain or Kamschatka, is to me a matter of perfect indifference. I cannot evince greater respect for your alteration than by immediately adopting it — this shall be done in the next edition. I am sorry your remarks are not more frequent, as I am certain they would be equally beneficial. Since my last, I have received two critical opinions from Edinburgh, both too flattering for me to detail. One is from Lord Woodhouselee, at the head of the Scotch literati, and a most voluminous writer (his last work is a Life of Lord Kaimes); the other from Mackenzie, who sent his decision a second time, more at length. I am not personally acquainted with either of these gentlemen, nor ever requested their sentiments on the subject: their praise is voluntary, and transmitted through the medium of a friend, at whose house they read the productions.

  Contrary to my former intention, I am now preparing a volume for the public at large: my amatory pieces will be exchanged, and others substituted in their place. The whole will be considerably enlarged, and appear the latter end of May. This is a hazardous experiment; but want of better employment, the encouragement I have met with, and my own vanity, induce me to stand the test, though not without sundry palpitations. The book will circulate fast enough in this country from mere curiosity; what I prin — — …

  [letter incomplete]

  [Footnote 1: This fragment refers, like the previous letter, to Byron’s volume of verse, ‘Poems on Various Occasions’.]

  [Footnote 2: Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee, one of the

  Senators of the College of Justice in Scotland, and a friend of Robert

  Burns. Besides the ‘Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Hon. Henry

  Home of Kames’ (1807), he published ‘Elements of General History’

  (1801), ‘Essay on the Principles of Translation’, etc. He died in 1813.

  His ‘Universal History’, in six vols., appeared in 1834.]

  69. — To — — Falkner.

  Sir, — The volume of little pieces which accompanies this, would have been presented before, had I not been apprehensive that Miss Falkner’s indisposition might render some trifles unwelcome. There are some errors of the printer which I have not had time to correct in the collection: you have it thus, with “all its imperfections on its head,” a heavy weight, when joined with the faults of its author. Such Juvenilia, as they can claim no great degree of approbation, I may venture to hope, will also escape the severity of uncalled for, though perhaps not undeserved, criticism.

  They were written on many and various occasions, and are now published merely for the perusal of a friendly circle. Believe me, sir, if they afford the slightest amusement to yourself and the rest of my social readers, I shall have gathered all the bays I ever wish to adorn the head of yours very truly,

  BYRON.

  P.S. — I hope Miss F. is in a state of recovery.

  [Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron’s landlord at Burgage Manor.]

  70. — To John Hanson.

  [Farleigh House, Basingstoke, Hants.]

  Southwell, April 2nd, 1807.

  Dear Sir, — Before I proceed in Reply to the other parts of your Epistle, allow me to congratulate you on the Accession of Dignity and profit, which will doubtless accrue, from your official appointment.

  You was fortunate in obtaining Possession at so critical a period; your Patrons “exeunt omnes.” I trust they will soon supersede the Cyphers, their successors. The Reestablishment of your Health is another happy event, and, though secondary in my Statement, is by no means so in my Wishes. As to our Feuds, they are purely official, the natural consequence of our relative Situations, but as little connected with personal animosity, as the Florid Declamations of parliamentary Demagogues. I return you my thanks for your favorable opinion of my muse; I have lately been honoured with many very flattering literary critiques, from men of high Reputation in the Sciences, particularly Lord Woodhouselee and Henry Mackenzie, both Scots and of great Eminence as Authors themselves. I have received also some most favorable Testimonies from Cambridge. This you will marvel at, as indeed I did myself. Encouraged by these and several other Encomiums, I am about to publish a Volume at large; this will be very different from the present; the amatory effusions, not to be wondered at from the dissipated Life I have led, will be cut out, and others substituted. I coincide with you in opinion that the Poet yields to the orator; but as nothing can be done in the latter capacity till the Expiration of my Minority, the former occupies my present attention, and both ancients and moderns have declared that the two pursuits are so nearly similar as to require in a great measure the same Talents, and he who excels in the one, would on application succeed in the other. Lyttleton, Glover, and Young (who was a celebrated Preacher and a Bard) are instances of the kind. Sheridan & Fox also; these are great Names. I may imitate, I can never equal them.

  You speak of the Charms of Southwell; the Place I abhor. The Fact is I remain here because I can appear no where else, being completely done up. Wine and Women have dished your humble Servant, not a Sou to be had; all over; condemned to exist (I cannot say live) at this Crater of Dullness till my Lease of Infancy expires. To appear at Cambridge is impossible; no money even to pay my College expences. You will be surprized to hear I am grown very thin; however it is the Fact, so much so, that the people here think I am going. I have lost 18 LB in my weight, that is one Stone & 4 pounds since January, this was ascertained last Wednesday, on account of a Bet
with an acquaintance. However don’t be alarmed; I have taken every means to accomplish the end, by violent exercise and Fasting, as I found myself too plump. I shall continue my Exertions, having no other amusement; I wear seven Waistcoats and a great Coat, run, and play at cricket in this Dress, till quite exhausted by excessive perspiration, use the Hip Bath daily; eat only a quarter of a pound of Butcher’s Meat in 24 hours, no Suppers or Breakfast, only one Meal a Day; drink no malt liquor, but a little Wine, and take Physic occasionally. By these means my Ribs display Skin of no great Thickness, & my Clothes have been taken in nearly half a yard. Do you believe me now?

  Adieu. Remembrance to Spouse and the Acorns.

  Yours ever,

  BYRON.

  [Footnote 1: In March, 1807, George III demanded from the Coalition Ministry a written pledge that they would propose no further concessions to the Roman Catholics. They refused to give it, and the Tories, with the Duke of Portland as their nominal head, were recalled to the Government.]

  71. — To John M. B. Pigot.

  Southwell, April, 1807.

  My Dear Pigot, — Allow me to congratulate you on the success of your first examination — ”Courage, mon ami.” The title of Doctor will do wonders with the damsels. I shall most probably be in Essex or London when you arrive at this damned place, where I am detained by the publication of my rhymes.

  Adieu. — Believe me,

  Yours very truly,

  BYRON.

  P.S. — Since we met, I have reduced myself by violent exercise, much physic, and hot bathing, from 14 stone 6 lb. to 12 stone 7 lb. In all I have lost 27 pounds. Bravo! — what say you?

  [Footnote 1: The following extract is taken from a ledger in the possession of Messrs. Merry, of St. James’s Street, S.W.: —

  “1806 — January 4. Lord Byron (boots, no hat) 13 stone 12 lbs

  1807 — July 8. Lord Byron (shoes) 10 stone 13 lbs

  1807 — July 23. Lord Byron (shoes) 11 stone 0 lbs

  1807 — August 13. Lord Byron (shoes) 10 stone 11-1/2 lbs

  1808 — May 27. Lord Byron (shoes) 11 stone 1 lbs

  1809 — June 10. Lord Byron (shoes) 11 stone 5-3/4 lbs

  1811 — July 15. Lord Byron (shoes) 9 stone 11-1/2 lbs”]

  72. — To John Hanson.

  [6, Chancery Lane, Temple Bar, London.]

  Southwell, 19 April, 1807.

  Sir, — My last was an Epistle “entre nous;” this is a Letter of Business, Of course the formalities of official communication must be attended to. From lying under pecuniary difficulties, I shall draw for the Quarter due the 25th June, in a short Time. You will recollect I was to receive £100 for the Expence of Furniture, etc., at Cambridge. I placed in your possession accounts to amount and then I have received £70, for which I believe you have my Receipt. This extra £25 or £30 (though the Bills are long ago discharged from my own purse) I should not have troubled you for, had not my present Situation rendered even that Trifle of some Consequence. I have therefore to request that my Draft for £150, instead of £125 the simple Quarter, may be honoured, but think it necessary to apprize you previous to its appearance, and indeed to request an early Answer, as I had one Draft returned by Mistake from your House, some Months past. I have no Inclination to be placed in a similar Dilemma.

  I lent Mrs. B. £60 last year; of this I have never received a Sou and in all probability never shall. I do not mention the circumstance as any Reproach on that worthy and lamblike Dame, but merely to show you how affairs stand. ‘Tis true myself and two Servants lodge in the House, but my Horses, etc., and their expences are defrayed by your humble Sert. I quit Cambridge in July, and shall have considerable payments to make at that period; for this purpose I must sell my Steeds. I paid Jones in January £150, £38 to my Stable Keeper, £21 to my wine Merchant, £20 to a Lawyer for the prosecution of a Scoundrel, a late Servant. In short I have done all I can, but am now completely done up.

  Your answer will oblige

  Yours, etc., etc.,

  BYRON.

  [Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron, on the other hand, tells a different story.

  “Lord Byron,” she writes to Hanson (March 19, 1807), “has now been with me seven months, with two Men Servants, for which I have never received one farthing, as he requires the five hundred a year for himself. Therefore it is impossible I can keep him and them out of my small income of four hundred a year, — two in Scotland [Mrs. Gordon of Gight (see Chapter I. p. 4) was dead], and the pension is now reduced to two hundred a year. But if the Court allows the additional two hundred, I shall be perfectly satisfied.

  “I do not know what to say about Byron’s returning to Cambridge. When he was there, I believe he did nothing but drink, gamble, and spend money.”

  A month later (April 29, 1807), she consults Hanson about raising £1000 by a loan from Mrs. Parkyns on her security.

  “Byron from their last letter gave up all hopes of getting the money, and behaved very well on the occasion, and proposed selling his Horses and plans of OEconomy that I much fear will be laid aside if the Money is procured. My only motive for wishing it was to keep him clear of the Jews; but at present he does not seem at all disposed to have anything to do with them, even if he is disappointed in this resource. I wish to act for the best: but God knows what is for the best.”

  Eventually money was provided on Mrs. Byron’s security (see Letters of

  March 6 [Letter 117] and April 26 [Letter 121], 1809), and he resided at

  Trinity for a few days at the end of the May term, 1807.

  73. — To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot.

  June 11, 1807.

  Dear Queen Bess, — Savage ought to be immortal: — though not a thorough-bred bull-dog, he is the finest puppy I ever saw, and will answer much better; in his great and manifold kindness he has already bitten my fingers, and disturbed the gravity of old Boatswain, who is grievously discomposed. I wish to be informed what he costs, his expenses, etc., etc., that I may indemnify Mr. G — — . My thanks are all I can give for the trouble he has taken, make a long speech, and conclude it with 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. I am out of practice, so deputize you as a legate, — ambassador would not do in a matter concerning the Pope, which I presume this must, as the whole turns upon a Bull.

  Yours,

  BYRON.

  P.S. — I write in bed.

  [Footnote 1: He here alludes to an odd fancy or trick of his own; — whenever he was at a loss for something to say, he used always to gabble over “1 2 3 4 5 6 7” (Moore).]

  74. — To Elizabeth Bridget Pigot.

  Cambridge, June 30, 1807.

  “Better late than never, Pal,” is a saying of which you know the origin, and as it is applicable on the present occasion, you will excuse its conspicuous place in the front of my epistle. I am almost superannuated here. My old friends (with the exception of a very few) all departed, and I am preparing to follow them, but remain till Monday to be present at three Oratorios, two Concerts, a Fair, and a Ball. I find I am not only thinner but taller by an inch since my last visit. I was obliged to tell every body my name, nobody having the least recollection of my visage, or person. Even the hero of my Cornelian (who is now sitting vis-à-vis reading a volume of my Poetics) passed me in Trinity walks without recognising me in the least, and was thunderstruck at the alteration which had taken place in my countenance, etc., etc. Some say I look better, others worse, but all agree I am thinner, — more I do not require. I have lost two pounds in my weight since I left your cursed, detestable, and abhorred abode of scandal, where, excepting yourself and John Becher, I care not if the whole race were consigned to the Pit of Acheron, which I would visit in person rather than contaminate my sandals with the polluted dust of Southwell. Seriously, unless obliged by the emptiness of my purse to revisit Mrs. B., you will see me no more.

  On Monday I depart for London. I quit Cambridge with little regret, because our set are vanished, and my musical protégé before mentioned has left
the choir, and is stationed in a mercantile house of considerable eminence in the metropolis. You may have heard me observe he is exactly to an hour two years younger than myself. I found him grown considerably, and as you will suppose, very glad to see his former Patron. He is nearly my height, very thin, very fair complexion, dark eyes, and light locks. My opinion of his mind you already know; — I hope I shall never have occasion to change it. Every body here conceives me to be an invalid. The University at present is very gay from the fètes of divers kinds. I supped out last night, but eat (or ate) nothing, sipped a bottle of claret, went to bed at two, and rose at eight. I have commenced early rising, and find it agrees with me. The Masters and the Fellows all very polite, but look a little askance — don’t much admire lampoons — truth always disagreeable.

  Write, and tell me how the inhabitants of your Menagerie go on, and if my publication goes off well: do the quadrupeds growl? Apropos, my bull-dog is deceased — ”Flesh both of cur and man is grass.” Address your answer to Cambridge. If I am gone, it will be forwarded. Sad news just arrived — Russians beat — a bad set, eat nothing but oil, consequently must melt before a hard fire. I get awkward in my academic habiliments for want of practice. Got up in a window to hear the oratorio at St. Mary’s, popped down in the middle of the Messiah, tore a woeful rent in the back of my best black silk gown, and damaged an egregious pair of breeches. Mem. — never tumble from a church window during service. Adieu, dear — — ! do not remember me to any body: — to forget and be forgotten by the people of Southwell is all I aspire to.

  [Footnote 1: The allusion is to the farce Better Late than Never (attributed to Miles Peter Andrews, but really, according to Reynolds (Life, vol. ii. pp. 79, 80), by himself, Topham, and Andrews), in which Pallet, an artist, is a prominent character. It was played at Drury Lane for the first time October 17, 1790, with Kemble as “Saville” and Mrs. Jordan as “Augusta.”]