1821.] SECOND LETTER ON BOWLES. 265 P.S.-There is a report here of a change in France;1 but with what truth is not yet known. P.S. My respects to Mrs. H. I have the "best "opinion" of her countrywomen; and at my time of life, (three and thirty, 22d January, 1821,) that is to say, after the life I have led, a good opinion is the only rational one which a man should entertain of the whole sex-up to thirty, the worst possible opinion a man can have of them in general, the better for himself. Afterwards, it is a matter of no importance to them, nor to him either, what opinion he entertains-his day is over, or, at least, should be. You see how sober I am become. 882.-To John Murray. Ravenna, April 21st 1821. ILLUSTRIOUS MORAY,-I enclose you another letter on "Bowles." But I premise that it is not like the former, and that I am not at all sure how much, if any, of it should be published. Upon this point you can consult with Mr. Gifford, and think twice before you publish it at all. Pray send me some more pounds weight of Soda powders: I drink them in Summer by dozens. Yours truly, B. P.S.-You may make my subscription for Mr. Scott's 1. After the murder of the Duc de Berri (February 13, 1820), the Duc de Richelieu succeeded Decazes as head of a moderate administration. The elections of 1821 resulted in a great accession of strength to the ultra-royalists and the Comte d'Artois. Richelieu resigned, December, 1821, and the "Ultras" under Villèle came into power. 2. See Appendix III. The second Letter, to which Byron here refers, was not published till 1835. widow, etc., thirty instead of the proposed ten pounds; but do not put down my name; put down N. N. only. The reason is, that, as I have mentioned him in the enclosed pamphlet,' it would look indelicate. I would give more, but my disappointments of last year, about Rochdale and the transfer from the funds, render me more economical for the present. P.S. 2-By next post I will send you the threatening Italian trash alluded to in the enclosed letter; you can make a note of it for the page alluding to the subject: I had not room for it in this cover, nor time. Mr. M. is requested to acknowledge the receipt of this packet by return of post, by way of Calais, as quickest. 883.-To Percy Bysshe Shelley. Ravenna, April 26, 1821. The child continues doing well, and the accounts are regular and favourable. It is gratifying to me that you 1. John Scott (1783–1821) had been Byron's schoolfellow at Aberdeen. He had been successively editor of the Censor, the Stamford News, Drakard's Newspaper (January 10, 1813). The name of the last paper was changed, January, 1814, to the Champion, Scott continuing to be the editor. In the Champion, "Fare thee "Well" and "The Sketch" were first published, and in the numbers for April 7, 14, 21, 1816, Byron and his defender, Leigh Hunt, were vehemently attacked at the time of the separation. Scott lived abroad from 1815 to 1819, meeting Byron at Venice (see the second letter on Bowles). In 1819 he became the first editor of the London Magazine (January, 1820). His attacks on Blackwood's Magazine, as the "Mohock Magazine," led to a quarrel with Lockhart, which ended in a duel between Scott and J. H. Christie. The duel took place by moonlight at Chalk Farm, February 16, 1821. Christie did not fire the first time; but on the second occasion his bullet, striking Scott above the right hip, inflicted a fatal wound. A subscription was raised for his widow and children, to which Byron, under the initials "N. N.," contributed £30, instead of the 10 suggested by Murray (Memoir, vol. i. p. 420). The fragment given in Appendix VIII. may refer to Scott. 2. See Byron's Second Letter on Bowles, Appendix III. p. 576. |