LETTER CCXX. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 26, 1814. have been writing cursed nonsense if they say so. There was a mental reservation in my pact with the public, in behalf of anonymes; and, even had there not, the provocation was such as to make it physically impossible to pass over this damnable epoch "I have been thinking that it might be as well to of triumphant tameness. 'Tis a cursed business; publish no more of the Öde separately, but incorpoand, after all, I shall think higher of rhyme and rate it with any of the other things, and include reason, and very humbly of your heroic people, till the smaller poem too (in that case)-which I must -Elba becomes a volcano, and sends him out again. previously correct, nevertheless. I can't for the I can't think it all over yet. head of me, add a line worth scribbling; my vein' is quite gone, and my present occupations are of the gymnastic order-boxing and fencing-and my principal conversation is with my macaw and Bayle. want my Moreri, and I want Athenæus. 66 My departure for the Continent depends, in some measure, on the incontinent. I have two country invitations at home, and don't know what to say or do. In the mean time, I have bought a macaw and a parrot, and have got up my books; and I box and fence daily, and go out very little. "At this present writing, Louis the Gouty is wheeling in triumph into Piccadilly, in all the pomp and rabblement of royalty. I had an offer of seats to see them pass; but, as I have seen a sultan going to mosque, and been at his reception of an ambassador, the most Christian King hath no attractions for me:'-though in some coming year of the Hegira, I should not dislike to see the place where he had reigned, shortly after the second revolution, and a happy sovereignty of two months, the last six weeks being civil war. "Pray write, and deem me ever, &c." LETTER CCXVIII. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 21, 1814. "Many thanks with the letters which I return. You know I am a jacobin, and could not wear white, nor see the installation of Louis the Gouty. "This is sad news, and very hard upon the sufferers at any, but more at such a time-I mean the Bayonne sortie. "P. S. I hope you sent back that poetical packet to the address which I forwarded to you on Sunday: if not, pray do; or I shall have the author screaming after his Epic." LETTER CCXXI. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 26, 1814. "I have no guess at your author,-but it is a noble Poem,* and worth a thousand Odes of any body's. I suppose I may keep this copy;-after reading it, I really regret having written my own. I say this very sincerely, albeit unused to think humbly of myself. "I don't like the additional stanzas at all, and they had better be left out. The fact is, I can't do any thing I am asked to do, however gladly I would; and at the end of a week my interest in a composition goes off. This will account to you for my doing no better for your 'Stamp Duty' Postscript. "The S. R. is very civil-but what do they mean by Childe Harold resembling Marmion? and the next two, Giaour and Bride, not resembling Scott? I certainly never intended to copy him; but, if there be any copyism, it must be in the two poems, where the same versification is adopted. However, they exempt the Corsair from all resemblance to any thing,-though I rather wonder at his escape. "You should urge Moore to come out. "P. S. I want Moreri to purchase for good and all. I have a Bayle, but want Moreri too. "P.S. Perry hath a piece of compliment to-day; but I think the name might have been as well omitted. No matter; they can but throw the old story "If ever I did any thing original, it was in of inconsistency in my teeth,-let them,-I mean as Childe Harold, which I prefer to the other things to not publishing. However, now I will keep my always, after the first week. Yesterday I re-read word. Nothing but the occasion, which was phys-English Bards;-bating the malice, it is the best. ically irresistible, made me swerve; and I thought an anonyme within my pact with the public. It is the only thing I have or shall set about." "Ever &c." LETTER CCXXII. LETTER CCXIX. TO MR. MURRAY. "April 25, 1814. "Let Mr. Gifford have the letter and return it at his leisure. I would have offered it, had I thought that he liked things of the kind. "I enclose a draft for the money: when paid, send the copyright. I release you from the thousand pounds agreed on for the Giaour and Bride, and there's an end. "If any accident occurs to me, you may do then copies of each for yourself only, I expect and re as you please; but, with the exception of two "Do you want the last page immediately? I have doubt the lines being worth printing; at any rate, I must see them again, and alter some passages, before they go forth in any shape into the quest that the advertisements be withdrawn, and the remaining copies of all destroyed; and any exocean of circulation; a very conceited phrase, by-pense so incurred, I will be glad to defray.t the-by: well then-channel of publication will do. "For all this, it might be as well to assign some "I am not i' the vein,' or could knock off a reason. I have none to give, except my own castanza or three for the Ode, that might answer the price, and I do not consider the circumstance of conpurpose better. At all events, I must see the lines sequence enough to require explanation. again first, as there be two I have altered in my mind's manuscript already. Has any one seen and judged of them? that is the criterion by which I will abide-only give me a fair report, and nothing| extenuate,' as I will in that case do something else. "6 'Ever, &c. "I want Moore, and an Athenæus." "In course, I need hardly assure you that they never shall be published with my consent, directly "Bonaparte," by Mr. Stratford Canning. ↑ He had, at this time, formed a resolution of purchasing back the whole of his past copyrights, and suppressing every page and line he had ever written. or indirectly, by any person whatsoever, that I am hustling among the publican boxers, with damnable perfectly satisfied and have every reason so to be, apprentices (six feet high) on a back row. Will with your conduct in all transactions between us as you both oblige me and come-or one-or neitherpublisher and author. or, what you will? "It will give me great pleasure to preserve your acquaintance, and to consider you as my friend. Believe me very truly, and for much attention, "Your obliged and very obedient servant, "BYRON. "P. S. I do not think that I have overdrawn at Hammersley's; but if that be the case, I can draw for the superflux on Hoares. The draft is 5l. short, but that I will make up. On payment-not before -return the copyright papers.' LETTER CCXXIII. TO MR. MURRAY. "May 1, 1814. "P. S. An' you will, I will call for you at half past six, or any time of your own dial." NOTE TO MR. MOORE. "I have gotten a box for Othello to-night, and send the ticket for your friends the R-fe's. I seriously recommend to you to recommend to them to go for half an hour, if only to see the third actthey will not easily have another opportunity. We -at least, I-cannot be there, so there will be no one in the way. Will you give or send it to them? it will come with a better grace from you than me. "I am in no good plight, but will dine at 's with you, if I can. There is music and Covent-g.Will you go, at all events, to my box there afterward, to see a debut of a young sixteen, in the Child of Nature?"" NOTE TO MR. MOORE. "Sunday matin. "DEAR SIR, "If your present note is serious, and it really would be inconvenient, there is an end to the matter: tear my draft, and go on as usual: in that case, we will recur to our former basis. That I "Was not Iago perfection? particularly the last was perfectly serious, in wishing to suppress all look. I was close to him (in the orchestra,) and future publication, is true; but certainly not to never saw an English countenance half so expresinterfere with the convenience of others, and more sive. I am acquainted with no immaterial sensualparticulary your own. Some day, I will tell you ity so delightful as good acting; and, as it is fitting the reason of this apparently strange resolution. At present, it may be enough to say that I recall it at your suggestion: and as it appears to have annoyed you, I lose no time in saying so. "Yours, truly, NOTE TO MR. MOORE. "B." "I wish people would not shirk their dinnersought it not to have been a dinner?-and that d-d anchovy sandwich! "That plaguy voice of yours made me sentimental, and almost fall in love with a girl who was recommending herself, during your song, by hating music. But the song is past, and my passion can wait, till the pucelle is more harmonious. there should be good plays, now and then, besides Shakspeare's, I wish you or Campbell would write one; the rest of us youth' have not heart enough. "You were cut up in the Champion-is it not so? this day, so am I-even to shocking the editor. The critic writes well; and as, at present, poesy is not my passion predominant, and my snake of Aaron has swallowed up all the other serpents, I don't feel fractious. I send you the paper, which I mean to take in for the future. We go to M.'s together. Perhaps I shall see you before, but don't let me bore you, now, nor ever. "Ever, as now, truly and affectionately, &c." NOTE TO MR. MOORE. "May 5, 1814. "Do you go to Lady Cahir's this even? If you do-and whenever we are bound to the same follies "Do you go to Lady Jersey's to-night? It is a-let us embark in the same 'Shippe of Fooles.' I large party, and you won't be bored into 'softening have been up till five, and up at nine: and feel rocks,' und all that. Othello is to-morrow and heavy with only winking for the last three or four Saturday too. Which day shall we go? When nights. shall I see you? If you call, let it be after and as near four as you please. Ever, &c." three "I lost my party and place at supper, trying to keep out of the way of * I would have gone away altogether, but that would have appeared a worse affectation than t' other. You are of course engaged to dinner, or we may go quietly together to my box at Covent Garden, and afterward to this assemblage. Why did you go away so soon? "Ever, &c. "Thou hast asked me for a song, and I enclose you an experiment, which has cost me something P. S. Ought not R*** fe's supper to have been more than trouble, and is, therefore, less likely to a dinner? Jackson is here, and I must fatigue be worth your taking any in your proposed setting.* myself into spirits." Now, if it be so, throw it into the fire, without phrase. "Ever yours, 1. "I speak not, I trace not, I breathe not thy name, &c." NOTE TO MR. MOORE. at "Will you and Rogers come to my box Covent, then? I shall be there, and none else or I won't be there, if you twain would like to go You will not get so good a place without me. ⚫ See Poems, p. 568. NOTE TO MR. MOORE. "May 18, 1814. "Thanks-and punctuality. What has passed at House? I suppose that I am to know, and 'pars fui' of the conference. I regret that yours will detain you so late, but I suppose you will be at Lady Jersey's. I am going earlier with Hobhouse. You recollect that to-morrow we sup and see Kean. "P. S. Two to-morrow is the hour of pugilism." • Miss Foote's first appearance. LETTER CCXXIV. TO MR. MOORE. "May 23, 1814. "I must send you the Java government gazette of July 3, 1813, just sent me by Murray. Only think of our (for it is you and I) setting paper warriors in array in the Indian seas. Does not this sound like fame-something almost like posterity? It is something to have scribblers squabbling about us five thousand miles off, while we are agreeing so well at home. Bring it with you in your pocket; it will make you laugh, as it hath me. "P. S. Oh, the anecdote! "Ever yours, LETTER CCXXV. TO MR. MOORE. "B. "May 31, 1814. to be able to bear thirst like a camel,-the springs are so few, and most of them so muddy. "The newspapers will tell you all that is to be told of emperors, &c. They have dined, and supped, and shown their flat faces in all thoroughfares, and several saloons. Their uniforms are very becoming, but rather short in the skirts; and their conversation is a catechism, for which and the answers I refer you to those who have heard it. "I think of leaving town for Newstead soon. If so, I shall not be remote from your recess, and (unless Mrs. M. detains you at home over the caudle-cup and a new cradle), we will meet. You shall come to me, or I to you, as you like it;-but meet we will. An invitation from Åston has reached "me, but I do not think I shall go. I have also heard of -I should like to see her again, for I have not met her for years; and though the light that ne'er can shine again' is set, I do not know that one dear smile like those of old' might not make me for a moment forget the 'dulness of life's stream.' we have not syllabled one another's names "I am going to R* 's to-night-to one of those suppers which ought to be dinners.' I have hardly seen her, and never him, since you set out. "As I shall probably not see you here to-day, II told you, you were the last link of that chain. write to request that if not inconvenient to your- As for self, you will stay in town till Sunday; if not to since. The post will not permit me to continue my gratify me, yet to please a great many others, who scrawl. More anon. "Ever dear Moore, &c. will be very sorry to lose you. As for myself, I can "P. S. Keep the Journal, I care not what only repeat that I wish you would either remain a becomes of it, and if it has amused you, I am glad long time with us, or not come at all; for these that I kept it. 'Lara' is finished, and I am copysnatches of society make the subsequent separations ing him for my third vol. now collecting; but no bitterer than ever. separate publication." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "June 14, 1814. "I believe you think that I have not been quite fair with that Alpha and Omega of beauty, &c., with whom you would willingly have united me. But if you consider what her sister said on the "I return your packet of this morning. Have subject, you will less wonder that my pride should have taken the alarm; particularly as nothing but you heard that Bertrand has returned to Paris with the every-day flirtation of every-day people ever It is a report; but, if true, I must, like Mr. Fitzthe account of Napoleon's having lost his senses? occurred between your heroine and myself. Had Lady appeared to wish it, or even not to claim to prophecy; that is to say, of saying that he gerald and Jeremiah, (of lamentable memory,) lay oppose it, I would have gone on, and very possibly ought to go out of his senses, in the penultimate married (that is, if the other had been equally stanza of a certain Ode,-the which, having been accordant) with the same indifference which has frozen over the Black Sea' of almost all my pas- has a still further pretension, by its unintelligibility, pronounced nonsense by several profound critics, sions. It is that very indifference which makes me so uncertain and apparently capricious. It is not "Ever, &c." to inspiration. eagerness of new pursuits, but that nothing impresses me sufficiently to fix; neither do I feel disgusted, but simply indifferent to almost all excitements. The proof of this is, that obstacles, the slightest even, stop mc. This can hardly be timidity, for I have done some impudent things too, in my time; and in almost all cases, opposition is a stimulus. In mine, it is not; if a straw were in my way, I could not stoop to pick it up. LETTER CCXXVII. TO MR. ROGERS. "June 19, 1814, "I am always obliged to trouble you with my awkwardnesses, and now I have a fresh one. Mr. W.* called on me several times, and I have missed I have sent this long tirade, because I would the honor of making his acquaintance, which I not have you suppose that I have been trifling regret, but which you, who know my desultory and designedly with you or others. If you think so, in uncertain habits, will not wonder at, and will, I am the name of St. Hubert (the patron of antlers and sure, attribute to any thing but a wish to offend a hunters) let me be married out of hand-I don't person who has shown me much kindness, and care to whom, so that it amuses any body else, and don't interfere with me much in the day-time. Ever, &c." LETTER CCXXVI. TO MR. MOORE. "June 14, 1814. possesses character and talents entitled to general respect. My mornings are late, and passed in fencing and boxing, and a variety of most unpoetical exercises, very wholesome, &c., but would be very disagreeable to my friends, whom I am obliged to exclude during their operation. I never go out till the evening, and I have not been fortunate enough to meet Mr. W. at Lord Lansdowne's or Lord Jersey's, where I had hoped to pay him my respects. "I would have written to him, but a few words "I could be very sentimental now, but I won't. from you will go further than all the apologetical The truth is, that I have been all my life trying to sesquipedalities I could muster on the occasion. It harden my heart, and have not yet quite succeeded is only to say that, without intending it, I contrive though there are great hopes-and you do not to behave very ill to every body, and am very sorry know how it sunk with your departure. What adds for it. "Ever, dear R., &c." to my regret is having seen so little of you during your stay in this crowded desert where one ought • Mr. Wrangham. The following undated notes to Mr. Rogers were written about this time. "Sunday. LETTER CCXXIX. TO MR. MOORE. "July 8, 1914. "Your non-attendance at Corinne's is very "I returned to town last night, and had some apropos, as I was on the eve of sending you an hopes of seeing you to-day, and would have called, excuse. I do not feel well enough to go there-but I have been (though in exceeding disten.this evening, and have been obliged to despatch an pered good health) a little headachy with free livapology. I believe I need not add one for not ing, as it is called, and am now at the freezing accepting Mr. Sheridan's invitation on Wednesday, point of returning soberness. Of course, I should which I fancy both you and I understood in the be sorry that our parallel lines did not deviate into same sense-with him the saying of Mirabeau, intersection before you return to the country,-after that words are things,' is not to be taken literally. that same nonsuit whereof the papers have told us, 'Ever, &c. -but, as you must be much occupied, I won't be affronted, should your time and business militate against our meeting. "I will call for you at a quarter before seven, if that will suit you. I return you Sir Proteus, and shall merely add in return, as Johnson said of, and to, somebody or other, Are we alive after all this censure?' "Believe me, &c." "Tuesday. "Sheridan was yesterday, at first, too sober to remember your invitation, but in the dregs of the third bottle he fished up his memory. The Star out-talked Whitbread, was ironed by Sheridan, confounded Sir Humphrey, and utterly perplexed your slave. The rest (great names in the red book, nevertheless), were mere segments of the circle. Ma'mselle danced a Russ saraband with great vigor, grace, and expression. "Ever, &c." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "June 21, 1814. "I suppose 'Lara' is gone to the devil,-which is no great matter, only let me know that I may be saved the trouble of copying the rest, and put the first part into the fire. I really have no anxiety about it, and shall not be sorry to be saved the copying, which goes on very slowly, and may prove to you that you may speak out-or I should be less sluggish. "Yours, &c." LETTER CCXXVIII. "Rogers and I have almost coalesced into a joint invasion of the public. Whether it will take place or not, I do not yet know, and I am afraid Jacque line (which is very beautiful) will be in bad company. But, in this case, the lady will not be the sufferer. "I am going to the sea, and then to Scotland; and I have been doing nothing-that is, no good,and am very truly, &c." LETTER CCXXX. TO MR. MOORE. "I suppose, by your non-appearance, that the philosophy of my note, and the previous silence of the writer, have put or kept you in humeur. Never mind-it is hardly worth while. "This day have I received information from my man of law of the non-and never likely to beperformance of purchaset by Mr. Claughton, of impecuniary memory. He don't know what to do, or when to pay; and so all my hopes and worldly projects and prospects are gone to the devil. He (the purchaser, and the devil too, for aught I care) and I, and my legal advisers, are to meet to-morrow, -the said purchaser having first taken special care to inquire whether I would meet him with temper?-Certainly. The question is this-I shall either have the estate back, which is as good as ruin, or I shall go on with him dawdling, which is rather worse. have brought my pigs to a Mussulman market. If I had but a wife now, and children, of whose paternity I entertained doubts, I should be "You could not have made me a more acceptable happy, or rather fortunate, as Candide or Scarmenpresent than Jacqueline,-she is all grace, and soft-tado. In the mean time, if you don't come and ness, and poetry; there is so much of the last, that see me, I shall think that Sam's bank is broke too; we do not feel the want of story which is simple, and that you, having assets there, are despairing of yet enough. I wonder that you do not oftener more than a piastre in the pound for your dividend. unbend to more of the same kind. I have some Ever, &c." sympathy with the softer affections, though very little in my way, and no one can depict them so truly and successfully as yourself. I have half a mind to pay you in kind, or rather unkind, for I have justsupped full of horror' in two cantos of darkness and dismay. "I think you will be satisfied even to repletion with our northern friends, and I won't deprive you "P. S. Is there any chance or possibility of longer of what I think will give you pleasure: for making it up with Lord Carlisle, as I feel disposed my own part, my modesty or my vanity must be silent. "P. S. If you could spare it for an hour in the and Jacqueline; pray why? when I requested you evening, I wish you to send it up to Mrs. Leigh, to postpone publication till my return to town. your neighbor, at the London Hotel, Albemarle street.' LETTER CCXXXI. TO MR. MURRAY. "July 23, 1814. "I have a most amusing epistle from the Ettrick bard-Hogg; in which, speaking of his bookseller, whom he denominates the shabbiest' of the trade for not lifting his bills,' he adds, in so many words, G-d d-n him and them both.' This is a pretty prelude to asking you to adopt him, (the said Hogg;) but this he wishes; and if you please, you and I will talk it over. He has a poem ready for the press, (and your bills too, if liftable,') and "I am sorry to say that the print is by no means bestows some benedictions on Mr. Moore for his approved of by those who have seen it, who are abduction of Lara from the forthcoming Miscellany. pretty conversant with the original, as well as the "P. S. Sincerely, I think Mr. Hogg would suit picture from whence it is taken. I rather suspect you very well; and surely he is a man of great that it is from the copy and not the exhibited por-powers, and deserving of encouragement. I must trait, and in this dilemma would recommend a sus- knock out a tale for him, and you should at all Scott is pension, if not an abandonment of the prefixion to events consider before you reject his suit. the volumes which you purpose inflicting upon the gone to the Orkneys in a gale of wind, and Hogg public. says that, during the said gale, he is sure that "With regard to Lara don't be in any hurry. I Scott is not quite at his ease, to say the best of it.' have not yet made up my mind on the subject, nor Ah! I wish these home-keeping bards could taste a know what to think or do till I hear from you; and Mediterranean white squall, or the Gut in a gale of Mr. Moore appeared to me in a similar state of wind, or even the Bay of Biscay with no wind at indetermination. I do not know that it may not be all." better to reserve it for the entire publication you proposed, and not adventure in hardy singleness, or even backed by the fairy Jacqueline. I have been seized with all kinds of doubts, &c., &c., since I left London. LETTER CCXXXII. TO MR. MURRAY. "July 24, 1814. LETTER CCXXXIV. TO MR. MOORE. "Hastings, Aug. 6, 1814. "By the time this reaches your dwelling, I shalt (God wot) be in town again probably. I have here been renewing my acquaintance with my old friend Ocean; and I find his bosom as pleasant a pillow for an hour in the morning as his daughters of Paphos could be in the twilight. I have been swimming and eating turbot, and smuggling neat brandies and silk handkerchiefs,-and listening to my "The minority must, in this case, carry it, so friend Hodgson's raptures about a pretty wife-elect pray let it be so, for I don't care sixpence for any of of his,-and walking on cliffs, and tumbling down the opinions you mention, on such a subject; and hills, and making the most of the dolce farniente' Phillips must be a dunce to agree with them. For for the last fortnight. I met a son of Lord Ers my own part, I have no objection at all; but Mrs. kine's, who says he has been married a year, and is Leigh and my cousin must be better judges of the the happiest of men;' and I have met the aforelikeness than others; and they hate it; and so I said H. who is also the happiest of men;' so, it won't have it at all. is worth while being here, if only to witness the superlative felicity of these foxes, who have cut off their tails, and would persuade the rest to part with their brushes to keep them in countenance. "Waverley is the best and most interesting novel "It rejoices me that you like Lara.' Jeffrey is I have redde since-I don't know when. I like it out with his forty-fifth number, which I suppose as much as I hate * *, and * *, and **, and all the you have got. He is only too kind to me, in my feminine trash of the last four months. Besides, it share of it, and I begin to fancy myself a golden is all easy to me, I have been in Scotland so much, pheasant, upon the strength of the plumage where(though then young enough too,) and feel at home with he hath bedecked me. But then, surgit with the people, Lowland and Gael. amari,' &c.-the gentlemen of the Champion, and "A note will correct what Mr. Hobhouse thinks Perry, have got hold (I know not how) of the conan error, (about the feudal system in Spain;) it is dolatory address to Lady J. on the picture-abducnot Spain. If he puts a few words of prose any tion by our Regent, and have published them-with where, it will set all right. my name, too, smack-without even asking leave, "Mr. Hobhouse is right as for his conclusion; but I deny the premises. The name only is Spanish; the country is not Spain, but the Morea. "I have been ordered to town to vote. I shall or inquiring whether or no! D-n their impudence, disobey. There is no good in so much prating. and d-n every thing. It has put me out of pasince certain issues strokes should arbitrate.' If tience, and so I shall say no more about it.* you have any thing to say, let me hear from you. "Yours, &c." LETTER CCXXXIII TO MR. MURRAY. "Aug. 3, 1814. "You shall have Lara and Jacque (both with some additions) when out, but I am still demurring and delaying, and in a fuss, and so is Rogers in his way. Newstead is to be mine again. Claughton forfeits twenty-five thousand pounds; but that don't prevent me from being very prettily ruined. I mean to bury myself there-and let my beard grow -and hate you all. "It is certainly a little extraordinary that you "Oh! I have had the most amusing letter from have not sent the Edinburgh Review, as I re- Hogg, the Ettrick minstrel and shepherd. He quested, and hoped it would not require a note wants me to recommend him to Murray, and, day to remind you. I see advertisements of Lara speaking of his present bookseller, whose bills are never lifted,' he adds, totidem verbis, 'G-d • An engraving by Agar from Phillips's portrait of him. See Poems, p. 568 |