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1813.] HER LADYSHIP'S FOOLISH ASSERTIONS.

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time ago, and neither containing the least allusion which could make any person suppose that I had any intention further than regards the children of her husband. My servant returned the packet and letter of yesterday at the moment of receiving them; by her letter to Mr. H. it should seem they have not been redelivered. I am sorry for this, but it is not my fault, and they ought never to have been sent. After her Ladyship's mistakes, so often repeated, you will not blame me for declining all further interference in her affairs, and I rely much upon your word in contradicting her foolish assertions, and most absurd imaginations. She now says that "I need "not leave the country on her account." How the devil she knew that I was about to leave it I cannot guess; but, however, for the first time she has dreamed right. But her being the cause is still more ludicrous than the rest. First, she would have it that I returned here for love of a woman I never saw, and now that I am going, for the same whom I have never seen, and certainly never wished, nor wish, to see! The maddest consistency I ever heard of. I trust that she has regained her senses, as she tells Mr. H. she will not scribble any more, which will also save you from the troublesome correspondence of Your obliged and obedient servant,

BYRON.

282.-To John Hanson.

March 6th, 1813.

DEAR SIR, I must be ready in April at whatever risk, at whatever loss. You will therefore advertize Rochdale; if you decline this, I will sell it for what it will bring, even though but a few thousand pounds.

With regard to Claughton, I shall only say that, if he VOL. II.

knew the ruin,—the misery, he occasions by his delay, he would be sorry for his conduct, and I only hope that he and I may not meet, or I shall say something he will not like to hear. I have called often. I shall call today at three or between three and four; again and again, I can only beg of you to forward my plans, for here no power on earth shall make me remain six weeks longer. Ever yours,

B.

283.-To Charles Hanson.

Mh. 24th, 1813.

MY DEAR CHARLES,-This is very evasive and dissatisfactory. What is to be done I cannot tell, but your father had better see his letter and this of mine. A long litigation neither suits my inclination nor circumstances; it were better to take back the estate, and raise it to what it will bear, which must be at least double, to dismantle the house and sell the materials, and sell Rochdale. Something I must determine on and that quickly. I want to go abroad immediately; it is utterly impossible for me to remain here; every thing I have done to extricate myself has been useless. Your father said. “sell;" I have sold, and see what has become of it! If I go to Law with this fellow, after five years litigation at the present depreciation of money, the price will not be worth the property; besides how much of it will be spent in the contest! and how am I to live in the interim? Every day land rises and money falls. I shall tell Mr. Cn. he is a scoundrel, and have done with him, and I only hope he will have spirit enough to resent the appellation, and defend his own rascally conduct. In the interim of his delay in his journey, I shall leave town; on Sunday

1813.]

USURIOUS INTEREST.

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I shall set out for Herefordshire, from whence, when wanted, I will return.

Pray tell your father to get the money on Rochdale, or I must sell it directly. I must be ready by the last week in May, and am consequently pressed for time.

I go first to Cagliari in Sardinia, and on to the Levant.

Believe me, dear Charles,

Yours truly,

B.

284.-To Samuel Rogers.1

March 25, 1813.

I enclose you a draft for the usurious interest due to Lord B[oringdon]'s protégé ;-I also could wish you would state thus much for me to his Lordship. Though the transaction speaks plainly in itself for the borrower's folly and the lender's usury, it never was my intention to quash the demand, as I legally might, nor to withhold payment of principal, or, perhaps, even unlawful interest. You know what my situation has been, and what it is. I have

1. The following was Rogers's reply :

"Friday Morning.

"MY DEAREST BYRON,-I have just received your note, but I "will not execute your Commission; and, moreover, I will tell "Lord Boringdon that I refused to do it. I know your situation; "and I should never sleep again, if by any interference of mine, "for by so harsh a word I must call it, you should be led by your "generosity, your pride, or any other noble motive, to do more "than you are called upon to do.

"I mentioned the thing to Lord Holland last night, and he "entirely agreed with me, that you are not called upon to do it. "The Principal and the legal interest are all that these extortioners I are entitled to; and, you must forgive me, but I will not do as 'you require. I shall keep the draft till I see you.

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"Yours ever and ever,

"SAML. ROGERS."

parted with an estate (which has been in my family for nearly three hundred years, and was never disgraced by being in possession of a lawyer, a churchman, or a woman, during that period,) to liquidate this and similar demands; and the payment of the purchase is still withheld, and may be, perhaps, for years. If, therefore, I am under the necessity of making those persons wait for their money, (which, considering the terms, they can afford to suffer,) it is my misfortune.

When I arrived at majority in 1809, I offered my own security on legal interest, and it was refused. Now, I will not accede to this. This man I may have seen, but I have no recollection of the names of any parties but the agents and the securities. The moment I can, it is assuredly my intention to pay my debts. This person's case may be a hard one; but, under all circumstances, what is mine? I could not foresee that the purchaser of my estate was to demur in paying for it.

I am glad it happens to be in my power so far to accommodate my Israelite, and only wish I could do as much for the rest of the Twelve Tribes.

Ever yours, dear R.,

BN.

285.-To the Hon. Augusta Leigh.

4, Bennet Street, St. James's, March 26th, 1813.

MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,—I did not answer your letter, because I could not answer as I wished, but expected that every week would bring me some tidings that might enable me to reply better than by apologies. But Claughton has not, will not, and, I think, cannot pay his money, and though, luckily, it was stipulated that he should never have possession till the whole was paid, the

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