1811.]

INVITATION TO GEORGE BYRON.

9

an acquaintance: his very prejudices were respectable. There is a sucking epic poet at Granta, a Mr. Townsend,1 protégé of the late Cumberland. Did you ever hear of him and his Armageddon? I think his plan (the man I don't know) borders on the sublime: though, perhaps, the anticipation of the "Last Day" (according to you Nazarenes) is a little too daring: at least, it looks like telling the Lord what he is to do, and might remind an ill-natured person of the line,

"And fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

But I don't mean to cavil, only other folks will, and he may bring all the lambs of Jacob Behmen about his ears. However, I hope he will bring it to a conclusion, though Milton is in his way.

Write to me--I dote on gossip-and make a bow to Ju-, and shake George by the hand for me; but, take care, for he has a sad sea paw.

P.S.-I would ask George here, but I don't know how to amuse him-all my horses were sold when I left England, and I have not had time to replace them. Nevertheless, if he will come down and shoot in September, he will be very welcome: but he must bring a gun, for I gave away all mine to Ali Pacha, and other Turks. Dogs, a keeper, and plenty of game, with a very large manor, I have—a lake, a boat, houseroom, and neat wines.

1. The Rev. George Townsend (1788-1857) of Trinity College, Cambridge, published Poems in 1810, and eight books of his Armageddon in 1815. The remaining four books were never published. Townsend became a Canon of Durham in 1825, and held the stall till his death in 1857. Richard Cumberland, dramatist, novelist, and essayist (1732-1811), the "Sir Fretful "Plagiary" of The Critic, announced the forthcoming poem in the London Review; but, as Townsend says, in the Preface to Armageddon, praised him "too abundantly and prematurely." "My "talents," he adds, "were neither equal to my own ambition, nor "his zeal to serve me. (See Hints from Horace, lines 191-212, and Byron's note to line 191, Poems, ed. 1898, vol. i. p. 403.)

173. To the Hon. Augusta Leigh.1

Newstead Abbey, August 30th, 1811.

My DEAR AUGUSTA, The embarrassments you mention in your last letter I never heard of before, but

1. For the Hon. Augusta Leigh, see Letters, vol. i. p. 18, not 1. Byron's letter is in answer to the following from his half sister :

"6 Mile Bottom, Aug. 27th.

"MY DEAREST BROTHER,-Your letter was stupidly sent to "Town to me on Sunday, from whence I arrived at home yester"day; consequently I have not received it so soon as I ought to "have done. I feel so very happy to have the pleasure of hearing from you that I will not delay a moment answering it, altho' I am "in all the delights of unpacking, and afraid of being too late for "the Post.

"I have been a fortnight in Town, and went up on my eldest "little girl's account. She had been very unwell for some time, and "I could not feel happy till I had better advice than this neigh"bourhood affords. She is, thank Heaven! much better, and I "hope in a fair way to be quite herself again. Mr. Davies flattered me by saying she was exactly the sort of child you would delight "in. I am determined not to say another word in her praise for "fear you should accuse me of partiality and expect too much. "The youngest (little Augusta) is just 6 months old, and has no "particular merit at present but a very sweet placid temper.

66.

"Oh! that I could immediately set out to Newstead and shew "them to you. I can't tell you half the happiness it would give 'me to see it and you; but, my dearest B., it is a long journey and "serious undertaking all things considered. Mr. Davies writes me "word you promise to make him a visit bye and bye; pray do, you can then so easily come here. I have set my heart upon it. "Consider how very long it is since I've seen you.

66

"I have indeed much to tell you; but it is more easily said than "written. Probably you have heard of many changes in our situa"tion since you left England; in a pecuniary point of view it is "materially altered for ye worse; perhaps in other respects better. "Col. Leigh has been in Dorsetshire and Sussex during my stay in I expect him at home towards the end of this week, and "hope to make him acquainted with you ere long.

"Town.

"I have not time to write half I have to say, for my letter must go; but I prefer writing in a hurry to not writing at all. You "can't think how much I feel for your griefs and losses, or how "much and constantly I have thought of you lately. I began a "letter to you in Town, but destroyed it, from the fear of appearing "troublesome. There are times, know, when one cannot write

1811.]

RESPECT FOR HEROD.

that disease is epidemic in our family.

II

Neither have I been apprised of any of the changes at which you hint, indeed how should I? On the borders of the Black Sea, we heard only of the Russians. So you have much to tell, and all will be novelty.

I don't know what Scrope Davies' meant by telling you I liked Children, I abominate the sight of them so much that I have always had the greatest respect for the character of Herod. But, as my house here is large enough for us all, we should go on very well, and I need not tell you that I long to see you. I really do not perceive any thing so formidable in a Journey hither of two days, but all this comes of Matrimony, you have a

"with any degree of comfort or satisfaction. I intend to do so 'again shortly, so I hope you won't think me a bore.

66

"Remember me most kindly to Old Joe. I rejoice to hear of his "health and prosperity. Your letter (some parts of it at least) made me laugh. I am so very glad to hear you have sufficiently overcome your prejudices against the fair sex to have determined upon 66 marrying; but I shall be most anxious that my future Belle Sœur 'should have more attractions than merely money, though to be 'sure that is somewhat necessary. I have not another moment, "dearest B., so forgive me if I write again very soon, and believe 'me,

66

"Do write if you can."

"Your most affecte Sister,

"A. L.

1. For Scrope Berdmore Davies, see Letters, vol. i. p. 165, note 2. The following story is told of him by Byron, in a passage of his Detached Thoughts (Ravenna, 1821):-"One night Scrope Davies at a Gaming house (before I was of age), being tipsy as he usually was at the Midnight hour, and having lost monies, was in vain "intreated by his friends, one degree less intoxicated than himself, to come or go home. In despair, he was left to himself and to "the demons of the dice-box.

66

"Next day, being visited about two of the Clock, by some friends "just risen with a severe headache and empty pockets (who had "left him losing at four or five in the morning), he was found in a "sound sleep, without a night-cap, and not particularly encumbered "with bed-cloathes : a Chamber-pot stood by his bed-side, brim-full "of Bank Notes! all won, God knows how, and crammed, 66 Scrope knew not where; but THERE they were, all good legitimate "notes, and to the amount of some thousand pounds.'

1

Nurse and all the etcæteras of a family.

Well, I must

marry to repair the ravages of myself and prodigal ancestry, but if I am ever so unfortunate as to be presented with an Heir, instead of a Rattle he shall be provided with a Gag.

I shall perhaps be able to accept D's invitation to Cambridge, but I fear my stay in Lancashire will be prolonged, I proceed there in the 24 week in Sep' to arrange my coal concerns, & then if I can't persuade some wealthy dowdy to ennoble the dirty puddle of her mercantile Blood,-why-I shall leave England and all it's clouds for the East again; I am very sick of it already. Joe' has been getting well of a disease that would have killed a troop of horse; he promises to bear away the palm of longevity from old Parr. As you won't come, you will write; I long to hear all those unutterable things, being utterly unable to guess at any of them, unless they concern your relative the Thane of Carlisle,2-though I had great hopes we had done with him.

I have little to add that you do not already know, and being quite alone, have no great variety of incident to gossip with; I am but rarely pestered with visiters, and the few I have I get rid of as soon as possible. I will now take leave of you in the Jargon of 1794. "Health "& Fraternity!"

Yours alway,

B.

1. For Joe Murray, see Letters, vol. i. p. 21, note 3.

2. For the Earl of Carlisle, see Letters, vol. i. p. 36, note 2.

1811.]

A LAUGHING PHILOSOPHER.

174. To the Hon. Augusta Leigh.

Newstead Abbey, Augst 30th, 1811.

13

MY DEAR AUGUSTA,—I wrote to you yesterday, and as you will not be very sorry to hear from me again, considering our long separation, I shall fill up this sheet before I go to bed. I have heard something of a quarrel between your spouse and the Prince, I don't wish to pry into family secrets or to hear anything more of the matter, but I can't help regretting on your account that so long an intimacy should be dissolved at the very moment when your husband might have derived some advantage from his R. H.'s friendship. However, at all events, and in all Situations, you have a brother in me, and a home here.

I am led into this train of thinking by a part of your letter which hints at pecuniary losses. I know how delicate one ought to be on such subjects, but you are probably the only being on Earth now interested in my welfare, certainly the only relative, and I should be very ungrateful if I did not feel the obligation. You must excuse my being a little cynical, knowing how my temper was tried in my Non-age; the manner in which I was brought up must necessarily have broken a meek Spirit, or rendered a fiery one ungovernable; the effect it has had on mine I need not state.

However, buffeting with the World has brought me a little to reason, and two years travel in distant and barbarous countries has accustomed me to bear privations, and consequently to laugh at many things which would have made me angry before. But I am wandering -in short I only want to assure you that I love you, and that you must not think I am indifferent, because I don't shew my affection in the usual way.