Lord Byron - Delphi Poets Series

by Lord Byron

  B.

  266 — to John Murray

  Oct. 19, 1812.

  Dear Sir, — Many thanks, but I must pay the damage, and will thank you to tell me the amount for the engraving. I think the Rejected Addresses by far the best thing of the kind since the Rolliad, and wish you had published them. Tell the author “I forgive him, were be twenty times our satirist;” and think his imitations not at all inferior to the famous ones of Hawkins Browne. He must be a man of very lively wit, and much less scurrilous than Wits often are: altogether, I very much admire the performance, and wish it all success. The Satirist has taken a new tone, as you will see: we have now, I think, finished with C. H.’s critics. I have in hand a Satire on Waltzing, which you must publish anonymously: it is not long, not quite 200 lines, but will make a very small boarded pamphlet. In a few days you shall have it.

  Ever yours,

  Byron.

  P.S. — The editor of the Satirist almost ought to be thanked for his revocation; it is done handsomely, after five years’ warfare.

  267 — to John Hanson

  Octr. 22d, 1812.

  Dear Sir, — I enclose you Mr. C[laughton]’s letter, from which you yourself will judge of my own. I insisted on the contract, and said, if I gave up the wines, etc., it would be as a gift. He admits the validity, as you perceive. I told him that I wished to avoid raising difficulties and in all respects to fulfil the bargain.

  I am going to Lord Oxford’s, Eywood, Presteigne, Hereford. In my way back I will take Farleigh, if you are not returned to London before.

  I wish to take a small house for the winter any where not remote from St. James’s. Will you arrange this for me? — and think of young Rushton, whom I promised to provide for, and must begin to think of it; he might be a sub-Tythe collector, or a Bailiff to our agent at Rochdale, or many other things. He has had a fair education and was well disposed; at all events, he must no longer remain in idleness.

  Let the Mule be sold and the dogs.

  Pray let me hear from you when convenient, and

  Believe me, ever yours truly,

  Byron.

  My best remembrances to all.

  I shall draw for fifty this week.

  Is anything done about Miss M[assingberd]? You have not mentioned her.

  268 — to John Murray

  Oct. 23, 1812.

  Dear Sir, — Thanks, as usual. You go on boldly; but have a care of glutting the public, who have by this time had enough of C. H. Waltz shall be prepared. It is rather above 200 lines, with an introductory letter to the Publisher. I think of publishing, with C. H., the opening lines of the Curse of Minerva, as far as the first speech of Pallas, — because some of the readers like that part better than any I have ever written; and as it contains nothing to affect the subject of the subsequent portion, it will find a place as a descriptive fragment.

  The plate is broken? between ourselves, it was unlike the picture; and besides, upon the whole, the frontispiece of an author’s visage is but a paltry exhibition. At all events, this would have been no recommendation to the book. I am sure Sanders would not have survived the engraving. By the by, the picture may remain with you or him (which you please), till my return. The one of two remaining copies is at your service till I can give you a better; the other must be burned peremptorily. Again, do not forget that I have an account with you, and that this is included. I give you too much Trouble to allow you to incur Expense also.

  You best know how far this “Address Riot” will affect the future sale of C. H. I like the volume of “rejected A.” better and better. The other parody which Perry has received is mine also (I believe). It is Dr. Busby’s speech versified. You are removing to Albemarle Street, I find, and I rejoice that we shall be nearer neighbours. I am going to Lord Oxford’s, but letters here will be forwarded. When at leisure, all communications from you will be willingly received by the humblest of your scribes. Did Mr. Ward write the review of H. Tooke’s Life? It is excellent.

  Yours ever,

  B.

  269 — to John Hanson

  Eywood, Presteign, Hereford, Octr. 31st, 1812.

  Dear Sir, — The inclosed bill will convince you how anxious I must be for the payment of Claughton’s first instalment; though it has been sent in without due notice, I cannot blame Mr. Davies who must feel very anxious to get rid of the business. Press C., and let me have an answer whenever you can to this Place.

  Yours ever,

  B.

  P.S. — I am at Lord Oxford’s, Eywood, as above.

  “Lord Byron.

  A Bill for £1500, drawn by Scrope B. Davies, lies due at Sir James Esdaile and Co’s., No. 21, Lombard-Street.

  All Drafts intended for the Payment of Bills, to be brought before Half past Three o’Clock.

  Please to call between 3 and Five o’Clock.”

  The same day Byron writes a second letter to Hanson:

  “Do pray press Claughton, as Mr. D.’s business must be settled at all events. I send you his letter, and I am more uncomfortable than I can possibly express myself upon the subject. Pray write.”

  270 — to John Hanson

  Presteign, Novr. 8th, 1812.

  Dear Sir, — Not being able (and to-day being Sunday also) to procure a stamp, as the Post town is very remote, I must request this letter to be considered as an Order for paying fifteen hundred pounds to S. B. Davies, Esq., and the same sum to your own account for the Tythe purchase. Mr. D.’s receipt can be indorsed on the bond.

  I shall be in London the latter end of the week. I set out from this place on the 12th. As to Mr. C., the Law must decide between us; I shall abide by the Contract. Your answer will not reach me in time, so do not write to me while here.

  Pray let Mr. D. be paid and you also — come what may. I always foresaw that C. would shirk; but he did it with his eyes open. What question can arise as to the title? has it never been examined? I never heard of it before, and surely, in all our law suits, that question must have come to issue.

  I hope we shall meet in town. I will wait on you the moment I arrive.

  My best respects to your family; believe me,

  Ever yours sincerely,

  Byron.

  “Dear Sir, — I have to request that you will pay the bearer (my Groom) the wages due to him (12 pds. 10s.), and dismiss him immediately, as I have given up my horses, and place the sum to my account.

  Ever yours,

  Byron.”

  Four days later, December 14, 1812, he writes again to Hanson —

  “Dear Sir, — I request your attention to the enclosed. See what can be done with Howard, and urge Claughton. If this kind of thing continues, I must quit a country which my debts render uninhabitable, notwithstanding every sacrifice on my part.

  Yours ever,

  B.”

  271 — to John Hanson

  Presteign, Novr. 16th, 1812.

  Dear Sir, — The floods having rendered the road impassable, I am detained here, but trust by the latter end of the week to proceed to Cheltenham, where I shall expect a letter from you to tell me if I am wanted in town.

  I shall not be in time for the Prince’s address; but I wish you to write down for my Parliamentary robes (Mrs. Chaworth had them, at least Mrs. Clarke the mother); though I rather think those were the Coronation and not the House robes. At least enquire.

  I hope Mr. D. is paid; and, if Mr. C. demurs, we must bring an action according to Contract.

  I trust you are well, and well doing in my behalf and your own.

  Ever yours most sincerely,

  B.

  272 — to John Murray

  Cheltenham, November 22, 1812.

  Dear Sir, — On my return here from Lord Oxford’s, I found your obliging note, and will thank you to retain the letters, and any other subsequent ones to the same address, till I arrive in town to claim them, which will probably be in a few days. I have in charge a curious and
very long MS. poem, written by Lord Brooke (the friend of Sir Philip Sidney), which I wish to submit to the inspection of Mr. Gifford, with the following queries: — first, whether it has ever been published, and secondly (if not), whether it is worth publication? It is from Lord Oxford’s Library, and must have escaped or been overlooked amongst the MSS. of the Harleian Miscellany. The writing is Lord Brooke’s, except a different hand towards the close. It is very long, and in the six-line stanza. It is not for me to hazard an opinion upon its merits; but I would take the Liberty, if not too troublesome, to submit it to Mr. Gifford’s judgment, which, from his excellent edition of Massinger, I should conceive to be as decisive on the writings of that age as on those of our own.

  Now for a less agreeable and important topic. — How came Mr. Mac-Somebody, without consulting you or me, to prefix the Address to his volume of “dejected addresses?” Is not this somewhat larcenous? I think the ceremony of leave might have been asked, though I have no objection to the thing itself; and leave the “hundred and eleven” to tire themselves with “base comparisons.” I should think the ingenuous public tolerably sick of the subject, and, except the parodies, I have not interfered, nor shall; indeed I did not know that Dr. Busby had published his apologetical letter and postscript, or I should have recalled them. But, I confess, I looked upon his conduct in a different light before its appearance. I see some mountebank has taken Alderman Birch’s name to vituperate the Doctor; he had much better have pilfered his pastry, which I should imagine the more valuable ingredient — at least for a Puff. — Pray secure me a copy of Woodfall’s new Junius,

  and believe me,

  Dear Sir, yours very sincerely,

  B.

  “Junius’s Letters, 2 vol. russia, 1806.”

  “Junius’s Letters, by Woodfall, 3 vol., Large Paper, 1812.”

  273 — to William Bankes

  December 26, .

  The multitude of your recommendations has already superseded my humble endeavours to be of use to you; and, indeed, most of my principal friends are returned, Leake from Joannina, Canning and Adair from the city of the Faithful, and at Smyrna no letter is necessary, as the consuls are always willing to do every thing for personages of respectability. I have sent you three; one to Gibraltar, which, though of no great necessity, will, perhaps, put you on a more intimate footing with a very pleasant family there. You will very soon find out that a man of any consequence has very little occasion for any letters but to ministers and bankers, and of them we have already plenty, I will be sworn.

  It is by no means improbable that I shall go in the spring; and if you will fix any place of rendezvous about August, I will write or join you. — When in Albania, I wish you would inquire after Dervise Tahiri and Vascillie (or Bazil), and make my respects to the viziers, both there and in the Morea. If you mention my name to Suleyman of Thebes, I think it will not hurt you; if I had my dragoman, or wrote Turkish, I could have given you letters of real service; but to the English they are hardly requisite, and the Greeks themselves can be of little advantage. Liston you know already, and I do not, as he was not then minister. Mind you visit Ephesus and the Troad, and let me hear from you when you please. I believe G. Forresti is now at Yanina; but if not, whoever is there will be too happy to assist you. Be particular about firmauns; never allow yourself to be bullied, for you are better protected in Turkey than any where; trust not the Greeks; and take some knicknackeries for presents — watches, pistols, etc., etc., to the Beys and Pachas. If you find one Demetrius, at Athens or elsewhere, I can recommend him as a good dragoman. I hope to join you, however; but you will find swarms of English now in the Levant.

  Believe me, etc.

  274 — to John Murray.

  Eywood, Presteign, January 8, 1813.

  Dear Sir, — You have been imposed upon by a letter forged in my name to obtain the picture left in your possession. This I know by the confession of the culprit and as she is a woman (and of rank), with whom I have unfortunately been too much connected, you will for the present say very little about it; but if you have the letter retain it — write to me the particulars. You will also be more cautious in future, and not allow anything of mine to pass from your hands without my Seal as well as Signature.

  I have not been in town, nor have written to you since I left it. So I presume the forgery was a skilful performance. — I shall endeavour to get back the picture by fair means, if possible.

  Yours ever,

  Byron.

  P. S. — Keep the letter if you have it. I did not receive your parcel, and it is now too late to send it on, as I shall be in town on the 17th. The delinquent is one of the first families in this kingdom; but, as Dogberry says, this is “flat burglary.”

  Favour me with an answer. I hear I am scolded in the Quarterly; but you and it are already forgiven. I suppose that made you bashful about sending it.

  275 — to Francis Hodgson

  February 3, 1813.

  My Dear Hodgson, — I will join you in any bond for the money you require, be it that or a larger sum. With regard to security, as Newstead is in a sort of abeyance between sale and purchase, and my Lancashire property very unsettled, I do not know how far I can give more than personal security, but what I can I will. At any rate you can try, and as the sum is not very considerable, the chances are favourable. I hear nothing of my own concerns, but expect a letter daily. Let me hear from you where you are and will be this month. I am a great admirer of the R. A. [Rejected Addresses], though I have had so great a share in the cause of their publication, and I like the C. H. [Childe Harold] imitation one of the best. Lady Oxford has heard me talk much of you as a relative of the Cokes, etc., and desires me to say she would be happy to have the pleasure of your acquaintance. You must come and see me at K[insham]. I am sure you would like all here if you knew them.

  The “Agnus” is furious. You can have no idea of the horrible and absurd things she has said and done since (really from the best motives) I withdrew my homage. “Great pleasure” is, certes, my object, but “why brief, Mr. Wild?” I cannot answer for the future, but the past is pretty secure; and in it I can number the last two months as worthy of the gods in Lucretius. I cannot review in the “Monthly;” in fact I can just now do nothing, at least with a pen; and I really think the days of Authorship are over with me altogether. I hear and rejoice in Eland’s and Merivale’s intentions.

  Murray has grown great, and has got him new premises in the fashionable part of the town.

  We live here so shut out of the monde that I have nothing of general import to communicate, and fill this up with a “happy new year,” and drink to you and Drury.

  Ever yours, dear H., B.

  I have no intention of continuing “Childe Harold.” There are a few additions in the “body of the book” of description, which will merely add to the number of pages in the next edition. I have taken Kinsham Court. The business of last summer I broke off, and now the amusement of the gentle fair is writing letters literally threatening my life, and much in the style of “Miss Mathews” in “Amelia,” or “Lucy” in the “Beggar’s Opera.” Such is the reward of restoring a woman to her family, who are treating her with the greatest kindness, and with whom I am on good terms. I am still in palatia Circes, and, being no Ulysses, cannot tell into what animal I may be converted; as you are aware of the turn of both parties, your conjectures will be very correct, I daresay, and, seriously, I am very much attached. She has had her share of the denunciations of the brilliant Phryne, and regards them as much as I do. I hope you will visit me at K. which will not be ready before spring, and I am very sure you would like my neighbours if you knew them. If you come down now to Kington, pray come and see me.

  “Byron often talks of the authors of the Rejected Addresses, and always in terms of unqualified praise. He says that the imitations, unlike all other imitations, are full of genius. ‘Parodies,’ he said, ‘always give a bad impression of the original, but in the Reje
cted Addresses the reverse was the fact;’ and he quoted the second and third stanzas, in imitation of himself, as admirable, and just what he could have wished to write on a similar subject”

  (Lady Blessington’s Conversations, p. 134).

  “The Bessboroughs,” writes Lady H. Leveson Gower to Lady G. Morpeth, September 12, 1812 (Letters of Harriet, Countess Granville, vol. i. pp. 40, 41), “have been unpacked about a couple of hours. My aunt looks stout and well, but poor Caroline most terribly the contrary. She is worn to the bone, as pale as death and her eyes starting out of her head. She seems indeed in a sad way, alternately in tearing spirits and in tears. I hate her character, her feelings, and herself when I am away from her, but she interests me when I am with her, and to see her poor careworn face is dismal, in spite of reason and speculation upon her extraordinary conduct. She appears to me in a state very (little) short of insanity, and my aunt describes it as at times having been decidedly so.”

  “a dialogue matrimonial, which passed between Jonathan Wild, Esquire, and Laetitia his wife” (née Laetitia Snap), “Laetitia asks, ‘But pray, Mr. Wild, why b — ch? Why did you suffer such a word to escape you?’“

  276 — to John Hanson

  3d Feb’y, 1813.

  Dear Sir, — Will you forward the inclosed immediately to Corbet, whose address I do not exactly remember? It is of consequence, relative to a foolish woman I never saw, who fancies I want to marry her.

  Yours ever, B.

  P. S. — I wish you would see Corbet and talk to him about it, for she plagues my soul out with her damned letters.

  277 — to John Murray

  February 20, 1813.

  Dear Sir, — In “Horace in London” I perceive some stanzas on Lord Elgin in which (waving the kind compliment to myself) I heartily concur. I wish I had the pleasure of Mr. Smith’s acquaintance, as I could communicate the curious anecdote you read in Mr. T.’s letter. If he would like it, he can have the substance for his second Edition; if not, I shall add it to our next, though I think we already have enough of Lord Elgin.