Pray can't you contrive to pay me a visit between this and Xmas? or shall I carry you down with me from Cambridge, supposing it practicable for me to come? You will do what you please, without our interfering with each other; the premises are so delightfully extensive, that two people might live together without ever seeing, hearing or meeting, but I can't feel the comfort of this till I marry. In short it would be the most amiable matrimonial mansion, and that is another great inducement to my plan,-my wife and I shall be so happy, one in each Wing. If this description won't make you come, I can't tell what will, you must please yourself. Good night, I have to walk half a mile to my Bed chamber.

Yours ever,

BYRON.

175.-To James Wedderburn Webster.

Newstead Abbey, Notts., Augst 31st, 1811.

1

MY DEAR W.,—I send you back your friend's letter, and, though I don't agree with his Canons of Criticism, they are not the worse for that. My friend Hodgson 1 is not much honoured by the comparison to the Pursuits of L., which is notoriously, as far as the poetry goes, the worst written of its kind; the World has been long but of one opinion, viz. that it's sole merit lies in the Notes, which are indisputably excellent.

1. Webster had sent Byron a letter from Naylor Hare, in which the latter criticized Hodgson's poems, Lady Jane Grey, a Tale; and other Poems (1809) (see Letters, vol. i. p. 195, note 1). In the volume (pp. 56-77) was printed his "Gentle Alterative prepared "for the Reviewers," which Hare apparently compared to The Pursuits of Literature (1794-97), by T. J. Mathías. To this criticism Byron objected, saying that the "Alterative" might be more fairly compared to Gifford's Baviad (1794).

1811.]

DEFENCE OF HODGSON'S POETRY.

15

Had Hodgson's "Alterative" been placed with the Baviad the compliment had been higher to both; for, surely, the Baviad is as much superior to H.'s poem, as I do firmly believe H.'s poem to be to the Pursuits of Literature.

Your correspondent talks for talking's sake when he says "Lady J. Grey" is neither "Epic, dramatic, or "legendary." Who ever said it was "epic" or "dra"matic" he might as well say his letter was neither "epic or dramatic;" the poem makes no pretensions to either character. "Legendary" it certainly is, but what has that to do with its merits? All stories of that kind founded on facts are in a certain degree legendary, but they may be well or ill written without the smallest alteration in that respect. When Mr. Hare prattles about the "Economy," etc., he sinks sadly;—all such expressions are the mere cant of a schoolboy hovering round the Skirts of Criticism.

Hodgson's tale is one of the best efforts of his Muse, and Mr. H.'s approbation must be of more consequence, before any body will reduce it to a "Scale," or be much affected by "the place" he "assigns" to the productions of a man like Hodgson.

But I have said more than I intended and only beg you never to allow yourself to be imposed upon by such common place" as the 6th form letter you sent me. Judge for yourself.

I know the Mr. Bankes1 you mention though not to that "extreme" you seem to think, but I am flattered by his "boasting" on such a subject (as you say), for I never thought him likely to "boast" of any thing which was not his own. I am not " melancholish"-pray

1. For William John Bankes, see Letters, vol. i. p. 120, note 1.

what "folk" dare to say any such thing?

contradict them by being merry at their expence.

I must

I shall invade you in the course of the winter, out

of envy, as Lucifer looked at Adam and Eve.

I

Pray be as happy as you can, and write to me that may catch the infection.

Yours ever,

BYRON.

176. To the Hon. Augusta Leigh.1

Newstead Abbey, Sept. 24, 1811.

MY DEAR AUGUSTA,-I wrote you a vastly dutiful letter since my answer to your second epistle, and I now

answer :

1. The following is Mrs. Leigh's letter, to which the above is an "6 Mile Bottom, Saturday, 31 Aug. "MY DEAREST BROTHER,-I hope you don't dislike receiving "letters so much as writing them, for you would in that case pronounce "me a great torment. But as I prepared you in my last for its being "followed very soon by another, I hope you will have reconciled your "mind to the impending toil. I really wrote in such a hurry that I "did not say half I wished; but I did not like to delay telling you "how happy you made me by writing. I have been dwelling con"stantly upon the idea of going to Newstead ever since I had your "wish to see me there. At last a bright thought struck me.

"We intend, I believe, to go to Yorkshire in the autumn. Now, "if I could contrive to pay you a visit en passant, it would be "delightful, and give me the greatest pleasure. But I fear you "would be obliged to make up your mind to receive my Brats too. "As for my husband, he prefers the outside of the Mail to the inside of a Post-Chaise, particularly when partly occupied by Nurse and "Children, so that we always travel independent of each other.

66

"So much for this, my dear B. I can only say I should much like "to see you at Newstead. The former I hope I shall at all events, 66 as you must not be shabby, but come to Cambridge as you "promised. Are you staying at Newstead now for any time? I saw George Byron in Town for one day, and he promised to call or write again, but has not done either, so I begin to think he has gone back to Lisbon. I think it is impossible not to like him; "he is so good-natured and natural. We talked much of you; he "told me you were grown very thin; as you don't complain, I hope "you are not the worse for being so, and I remember you used to

1811.]

MONEY THE MAGNET.

17

write you a third, for which you have to thank Silence and Solitude. Mr. Hanson comes hither on the 14th, and I am going to Rochdale on business, but that need not prevent you from coming here, you will find Joe, and the house and the cellar and all therein very much at your Service.

As to Lady B., when I discover one rich enough to suit me and foolish enough to have me, I will give her leave to make me miserable if she can. Money is the magnet; as to Women, one is as well as another, the older the better, we have then a chance of getting her to Heaven. So, your Spouse does not like brats better than myself; now those who beget them have no right to find fault, but I may rail with great propriety.

"wish it. Don't you think it a great shame that George B. is not "promoted? I wish there was any possibility of assisting him "about it; but all I know who could do any good with y present "Ministers, I don't for many reasons like to ask. Perhaps there "may be a change bye and bye.

"Fred Howard is married to Miss Lambton. I saw them in "town in their way to Castle Howard. I hope he will be happy "with all my heart; his kindness and friendship to us last year, "when Col. Leigh was placed in one of the most perplexing situa"tions that I think anybody could be in, is never to be forgotten. "I think he used to be a greater favourite with you than some "others of his family. Mrs. F. H. is very pretty, very young (not "quite 17), and appears gentle and pleasing, which is all one can "expect [to discover from] a very slight acquaintance.

"Now, my dearest Byron, pray let me hear from you. I shall "be daily expecting to hear of a Lady Byron, since you have con"fided to me your determination of marrying, in which I really hope 'you are serious, being convinced such an event would contribute "greatly to your happiness, PROVIDED her Ladyship was the sort of "" 'person that would suit you; and you won't be angry with me for "saying that it is not EVERY one who would; therefore don't be too "precipitate. You will wish me hanged, I fear, for boring you so "unmercifully, so God bless you, my dearest Bro.; and, when you "have time, do write. Are you going to amuse us with any more "Satires? Oh, English Bards! I shall make you laugh (when we "meet) about it.

"Ever your most affecte Sis. and Friend,

1. For John Hanson, see Letters, vol. i. p. 8, note 2. VOL. II.

"A. L."

с

My "Satire!"-I am glad it made you laugh for Somebody told me in Greece that you was angry, and I was sorry, as you were perhaps the only person whom I did not want to make angry.

But how you will make me laugh I don't know, for it is a vastly serious subject to me I assure you; therefore take care, or I shall hitch you into the next Edition to make up our family party. Nothing so fretful, so despicable as a Scribbler, see what I am, and what a parcel of Scoundrels I have brought about my ears, and what language I have been obliged to treat them with to deal with them in their own way;-all this comes of Authorship, but now I am in for it, and shall be at war with Grubstreet, till I find some better amusement.

You will write to me your Intentions and may almost depend on my being at Cambridge in October. You say you mean to be etc. in the Autumn; I should be glad to know what you call this present Season, it would be Winter in every other Country which I have seen. If we meet in October we will travel in my Vis. and can have a cage for the children and a cart for the Nurse. Or perhaps we can forward them by the Canal. Do let us know all about it, your "bright thought" is a little clouded, like the Moon in this preposterous climate. Good even, Child.

Yours ever,

B.

177.-To Francis Hodgson.

Newstead Abbey, Sept. 3, 1811.

MY DEAR HODGSON,-I will have nothing to do with your immortality;' we are miserable enough in this life,

1. The religious discussion arose out of the opening stanzas of