"he 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. Oct. 224, 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, 1812.] THE CURSE of minERVA. 179 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 My best remembrances to all. BYRON. 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?1 It is excellent. Yours ever, B. 269.-To John Hanson. Eywood, Presteign, Hereford, Oct. 31st, 1812. DEAR SIR,-The inclosed bill 2 will convince you how anxious I must be for the payment of Claughton's first instalment; though it has been sent in without due 1. See Quarterly Review, vol. vii. p. 313. The article alluded to was written by the Hon. J. W. Ward, afterwards Earl of Dudley. 2. The bill was Byron's for £1500, and the enclosure ran as follows: · "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 66 at all events. I send you his letter, and I am more uncomfortable "than I can possibly express myself upon the subject. Pray "write." 1812.] PECUNIARY DIFFICULTIES. 181 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, P.S.-I am at Lord Oxford's, Eywood, as above. 270.-To John Hanson. B. Presteign, Nov. 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.1 1. Byron was prepared to make some sacrifices to extricate himself from debt, or go abroad. The following letter to Hanson is dated December 10, 1812 : "DEAR SIR,-I have to request that you will pay the bearer (my "Groom) the wages due to him (12 pds. 10), 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." 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, BYRON. 271.-To John Hanson. Presteign, Nov. 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. |