my heart instead of my kidneys, it would have been all the better. However, I have quite recovered that also, and only wonder at my folly in excepting my own strumpets from the general corruption, albeit a two months' weakness is better than ten years. I have one request to make, which is, never mention a woman again in any letter to me, or even allude to the existence of the sex. I won't even read a word of the feminine gender; -it must all be propria quæ maribus.

In the spring of 1813 I shall leave England for ever. Every thing in my affairs tends to this, and my inclinations and health do not discourage it. Neither my habits nor constitution are improved by your customs or your climate. I shall find employment in making myself a good Oriental scholar. I shall retain a mansion in one of the fairest islands, and retrace, at intervals, the most interesting portions of the East. In the mean time, I am adjusting my concerns, which will (when arranged) leave me with wealth sufficient even for home, but enough for a principality in Turkey. At present they are involved, but I hope, by taking some necessary but unpleasant steps, to clear every thing. Hobhouse is expected daily in London: we shall be very glad to see him; and, perhaps, you will come up and "drink deep ere he "depart," if not, "Mahomet must go to the mountain; "1 --but Cambridge will bring sad recollections to him, and worse to me, though for very different reasons. I believe the only human being, that ever loved me in truth and

1. See Bacon's Essays ("Of Boldness"): "Mahomet made the 66 people believe that he would call a hill to him, and from the top of "it offer up his prayers for the observers of his law. The people "assembled; Mahomet called the hill to come to him, again and again; and when the hill stood still, he was never a whit abashed, "but said, 'If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet will go "to the hill.'"

1812.]

JOHN GALT'S TRAVELS.

ΙΟΥ

entirely, was of, or belonging to, Cambridge, and, in that,

no change can now take place. in death-where he sets his

There is one consolation seal, the impression can

neither be melted nor broken, but endureth for ever.

Yours always,

B.

P.S.-I almost rejoice when one I love dies young, for I could never bear to see them old or altered.

225.-To Francis Hodgson.

London, February 21, 1812.

MY DEAR HODGSON,-There is a book entituled Galt, his Travels in ye Archipelago,' daintily printed by Cadell and Davies, ye which I could desiderate might be criticised by you, inasmuch as y° author is a well-respected esquire of mine acquaintance, but I fear will meet with little mercy as a writer, unless a friend passeth judgment. Truth to say, ye boke is ye boke of a cock-brained man, and is full of devises crude and conceitede, but peradventure for my sake this grace may be vouchsafed unto

66

1. John Galt (1779-1839) published in 1812 his Voyages and Travels in the Years 1809, 1810, and 1811. For his meeting with Byron at Gibraltar in 1809, see Letters, vol. i. p. 243, note Ĭ; see also ibid., p. 304, note 2. Galt's novels were, in later years, liked by Byron, who "praised the Annals of the Parish very highly, as "also The Entail, some scenes of which, he said, had affected "him very much. 'The characters in Mr. Galt's novels have an identity,' added Byron, 'that reminds me of Wilkie's pictures' " (Lady Blessington's Conversations with Lord Byron, p. 74). "When I knew Galt, years ago," said Byron to Lady Blessington, "I was not in a frame of mind to form an impartial opinion of him: "his mildness and equanimity struck me even then; but, to say the "truth, his manner had not deference enough for my then aristo"cratical taste, and finding I could not awe him into a respect "sufficiently profound for my sublime self, either as a peer or an author, I felt a little grudge towards him that has now completely 66 worn off," etc., etc. (ibid., p. 249).

66

him. Review him myself I can not, will not, and if you are likewize hard of heart, woe unto y° boke! ye which is a comely quarto.

Now then! I have no objection to review, if it pleases Griffiths1 to send books, or rather you, for you know the sort of things I like to [play] with. You will find what I say very serious as to my intentions. I have every reason to induce me to return to Ionia.

Believe me, yours always,

B.

226.-To Lord Holland.

8, St. James's Street, February 25, 1812.

MY LORD,-With my best thanks, I have the honour to return the Notts. letter to your Lordship. I have read it with attention, but do not think I shall venture

1. George Edward Griffiths (circ. 1769-1829), son of Ralph Griffiths, who founded, owned, and published the Monthly Review, and boarded and lodged Oliver Goldsmith as a contributor, succeeded to the management of the Review on the death of his father in 1803. He edited it till 1825, when he sold the property. He lived at Linden House, Turnham Green. Francis Hodgson wrote for the Monthly Review, and, March 2, 1814, he writes to Byron, "I have already read a review of Safie in the British Critic, and "will undertake it in the Monthly if Griffiths, with whom I am "in very bad odour from my late shameful idleness, will allow me. "Oh that you would write a good smart critique of something to get both yourself and me in high repute at Turnham Green !!!!” In Byron's Detached Thoughts occurs the following passage :"I have been a reviewer. In the Monthly Review I wrote "some articles which were inserted. This was in the latter part "of 1811. In 1807, in a Magazine called Monthly Literary Recrea 66 tions, I reviewed Wordsworth's trash of that time.

'Excepting these, I cannot accuse myself of anonymous Criticism "(that I recollect), though I have been offered more than one review "in our principal Journals."

In the Bodleian Library is a copy of the Monthly Review, in which Griffiths has entered the initials of the authors of each article. Two articles from the Review, attributed to Byron on this authority, are given in Appendix I.

1812.]

NOTTINGHAM FRAME-WORKERS.

103

to avail myself of its contents, as my view of the question differs in some measure from Mr. Coldham's. I hope I do not wrong him, but his objections to the bill appear to me to be founded on certain apprehensions that he and his coadjutors might be mistaken for the "original advisers" (to quote him) of the measure. For my own part, I consider the manufacturers as a much injured body of men, sacrificed to the views of certain individuals who have enriched themselves by those practices which have deprived the frame-workers of employment. For instance; -by the adoption of a certain kind of frame, one man performs the work of seven-six are thus thrown out of business. But it is to be observed that the work thus done is far inferior in quality, hardly marketable at home, and hurried over with a view to exportation. Surely, my Lord, however we may rejoice in any improvement in the arts which may be beneficial to mankind, we must not allow mankind to be sacrificed to improvements in mechanism. The maintenance and well-doing of the industrious poor is an object of greater consequence to the community than the enrichment of a few monopolists by any improvement in the implements of trade, which deprives the workman of his bread, and renders the labourer "unworthy of his hire."

My own motive for opposing the bill is founded on its palpable injustice, and its certain inefficacy. I have seen the state of these miserable men, and it is a disgrace to a civilized country. Their excesses may be condemned, but cannot be subject of wonder. The effect of the present bill would be to drive them into actual rebellion. The few words I shall venture to offer on Thursday will be founded upon these opinions formed from my own observations on the spot. By previous inquiry, I am convinced these men would have been

restored to employment, and the county to tranquillity. It is, perhaps, not yet too late, and is surely worth the trial. It can never be too late to employ force in such circumstances. I believe your Lordship does not coincide with me entirely on this subject, and most cheerfully and sincerely shall I submit to your superior judgment and experience, and take some other line of argument against the bill, or be silent altogether, should you deem it more advisable. Condemning, as every one must condemn, the conduct of these wretches, I believe in the existence of grievances which call rather for pity than punishment. I have the honour to be, with great respect, my Lord, your Lordship's

Most obedient and obliged servant,

BYRON.

P.S.-I am a little apprehensive that your Lordship will think me too lenient towards these men, and half a frame-breaker myself.

227.-To Francis Hodgson.

8, St. James's Street, March 5, 1812.

MY DEAR HODGSON,-We are not answerable for reports of speeches in the papers; they are always given incorrectly, and on this occasion more so than usual, from the debate in the Commons on the same night. The Morning Post should have said eighteen years. However, you will find the speech, as spoken, in the Parliamentary Register, when it comes out. Lords Holland and Grenville, particularly the latter, paid me some high compliments in the course of their speeches, as you may have seen in the papers, and Lords Eldon and Harrowby answered me. I have had many marvellous eulogies1 1. For Byron's speech, February 27, 1812, see Appendix II. (1).