of a relapse I do most frequently hope I never pendix. I am sorry that Childe Harold requires some and such abetments to make him move off: shall. I see by the Morning Chronicle there hath been but, if you remember, I told you his popularity discussion in the Courier; and I read in the Morning would not be permanent. It is very lucky for the Post a wrathful letter about Mr. Moore, in which author that he had made up his mind to a temposome Protestant Reader has made a sad confusion rary reputation in time. The truth is, I do not about India and Ireland. think that any of the present day (and least of all, "You are to do as you please about the smaller one who has not consulted the flattering side of poems; but I think removing them now from the human nature) have much to hope from posterity; Corsair looks like fear; and if so, you must allow and you may think it affectation very probably, but me not to be pleased. Í should also suppose that, to me, my present and past success has appeared after the fuss of these newspaper esquires, they very singular, since it was in the teeth of so many would materially assist the circulation of the Cor- prejudices. I almost think people like to be contrasair; an object I should imagine at present of more dicted. If Childe Harold flags, it will hardly be importance to yourself than Childe Harold's seventh worth while to go on with the engravings; but do appearance. Do as you like; but don't allow the as you please; I have done with the whole concern; withdrawing that poem to draw any imputation of and the enclosed lines written years ago, and copied dismay upon me.* from my skull-cap, are among the last with which Pray make my respects to Mr. Ward, whose you will be troubled. If you like, add them to praise I value most highly, as you well know; it is Childe Harold, if only for the sake of another outin the approbation of such men that fame becomes cry. You received so long an answer yesterday, worth having. To Mr. Gifford I am always grate- that I will not intrude on you further than to repeat ful, and surely not less so now than ever. And so myself, Yours, &c. good night to my authorship. "P. S. Of course, in reprinting (if you have occasion) you will take great care to be correct. The present editions seem very much so, except in the last note of Childe Harold, where the word responsible occurs twice, nearly together; correct the second into answerable.' "I have been sauntering and dozing here very quietly and not unhappily. You will be happy to hear that I have completely established my title deeds as marketable, and that the purchaser has succumbed to the terms, and fulfils them, or is to fulfil them forthwith. He is now here and we go on very amicably together-one in each wing of the Abbey. We set off on Sunday-I for town, he for Cheshire. "Mrs. Leigh is with me-much pleased with the place, and less so with me for parting with it, to which not even the price can reconcile her. Your parcel has not yet arrived-at least the Mags. &c.; but I have received Childe Harold and the Corsair. I believe both are very correctly printed, which is a great satisfaction. "I thank you for wishing me in town; but I think one's success is most felt at a distance, and I enjoy my solitary self-importance in an agreeably sulky way of my own, upon the strength of your letter-for which I once more thank once more thank you, and am, very truly, &c. "P. S. Don't you think Bonaparte's next publication will be rather expensive to the Allies? Perry's Paris letter of yesterday looks very reviving. What a Hydra and Briareus it is! I wish they would pacify: there is no end to this campaigning." LETTER CC. TO MR. MURRAY. "Newstead Abbey, Feb 5, 1814. I quite forgot, in my answer of yesterday, to mention that I have no means of ascertaining whether the Newark Pirate has been doing what you say. If so, he is a rascal, and a shabby rascal too; and if his offence is punishable by law or pugilism, he shall be fined or buffeted. Do you try and discover, and I will make some inquiry here. Perhaps some other in town may have gone on printing, and used the same deception. "The fac-simile is omitted in Childe Harold, which is very awkward, and there is a note expressly on the subject. Pray replace it as usual. NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "Newark, Feb. 6, 1814. "I am thus far on my way to town. Master Ridge* I have seen, and he owns to having reprinted some sheets, to make up a few complete remaining copies! I have now given him fair warning, and it he plays such tricks again, I must either get an injunction, or call for an account of profits, (as I never have parted with the copyright,) or, in short, any thing vexatious to repay him in his own way. If the weather does not relapse, I hope to be in town in a day or two. Yours, &c." "There is a youngster-and a clever one, named Reynolds, who has just published a poem called 'Safie,' published by Cawthorne. He is in the most natural and fearful apprehension of the Reviewers -and as you and I both know by experience the effect of such things upon a young mind, I wish "On second and third thoughts, the withdraw-you would take his production into dissection, and ing the small poems from the Corsair (even to add do it gently. I cannot, because it is inscribed to to Childe Harold) looks like shrinking and shuf- me; but I assure you this is not my motive for fling, after the fuss made upon one of them by wishing him to be tenderly treated, but because I the Tories. Pray replace them in the Corsair's ap- know the misery, at his time of life, of untoward remarks upon first appearance. *He alludes to the lines beginning "Weep, daughter of a royal line.”— Poems, p. 547, Reprinting the "Hours of Idleness." The printer at Newark. t "To a Lady Weeping." "Now for self. Pray thank your cousin-it is sent. Some of the papers have exactly said what just as it should be, to my liking, and probably might be expected. Now I do not, and will not be more than will suit any one else's. I hope and trust supposed to shrink. although myself and every that you are well, and well doing. Peace be with thing belonging to me were to perish with my Ever yours, my dear friend." Yours, &c., you. memory. “BN. "P. S. Pray attend to what I stated yesterday on technical topics." LETTER CCII. TO MR. MOORE. "Feb. 10, 1814. LETTER CCIII. TO MR. HUNT. "Feb. 9, 1814. “I arrived in town late yesterday evening, having been absent three weeks, which I passed in Notts. quietly and pleasantly. You can have no concep- "MY DEAR SIR, tion of the uproar the eight lines on the little Royalty's weeping in 1812 (now republished) have "I have been snow-bound and thaw-swamped cccasioned. The Regent, who had always thought (two compound epithets for you) in the valley of them yours, chose-God knows why-on discover- the shadow' of Newstead Abbey for nearly a month, ing them to be mine, to be affected, 'in sorrow rather and have not been four hours returned to London. than anger.' The Morning Post, Sun, Herald, Nearly the first use I make of my benumbed fingers, Courier, have all been in hysterics ever since. Mur is to thank you for your very handsome note in the ray is in a fright, and wanted to shuffle and the volume* you have just put forth, only, I trust, to abuse against me in all directions is vehement, un-be followed by others on subjects more worthy your ceasing, loud-some of it good, and all of it hearty. notice than the works of contemporaries. Of myI feel a little compunctious as to the Regent's self, you speak only too highly, and you must think. regret ;- would he had been only angry! but I fear me strangely spoiled, or perversely peevish, even to suspect that any remarks of yours, in the spirit of "Some of these same assailments you have pro- candid criticism, could possibly prove unpalatable. bably seen. My person (which is excellent for the Had they been harsh, instead of being written as nonce') has been denounced in verses, the more like they are, in the indelible ink and friendly admonithe subject, inasmuch as they halt exceedingly. tion, had they been the harshest-as I knew and Then, in another, I am an atheist-a rebel-and, at know that you are above any personal bias, at least, last, the devil, (boiteux, I presume.) My demonism against your fellow-bards, believe me, they would seems to be a female's conjecture: if so, perhaps I not have caused a remonstrance, nor a moment of could convince her that I am but a mere mortal,-if rankling on my part. Your poem I read long ago a queen of the Amazons may be believed, who says in the Reflector,' and it is not much to say it is the αριστον χολος οιφει. I quote from memory, so my best Session' we have, and with a more difficult Greek is probably deficient; but the passage is subject, for we are neither so good nor so bad (taking the best and worst) as the wits of the olden Seriously, I am in, what the learned call, a di- time. him not.' meant to mean * * * * * lemma, and the vulgar, a scrape; and my friends "To your smaller pieces I have not yet had time desire me not to be in a passion, and like Sir Fret-to do justice by perusal, and I have a quantity of ful, I assure them that I am quite calm,'-but I am unanswered, and I hope unanswerable, letters to nevertheless in a fury. "Since I wrote thus far, a friend has come in, and we have been talking and buffooning, till I have quite lost the thread of my thoughts; and, as I won't send them unstrung to you, good morning, and "Believe me ever, &c. "P. S. Murray, during my absence, omitted the Tears in several of the copies. I have made him replace them, and am very wroth with his qualms; -as the wine is poured out, let it be drank to the dregs.' wade through before I sleep, but to-morrow will see me. through your volume. I am glad to see you have tracked Gray among the Italians. You will perhaps find a friend or two of yours there also, though not to the same extent; but I have always thought the Italians the most poetical moderns; our Milton and Spenser, and Shakspeare, (the last through translations of their Tales,) are very Tuscan, and surely it is far superior to the French school. You are hardly fair enough to Rogers. Why tea? you might surely have given him supper, if only a sandwich. Murray has, I hope, sent you my last bantling, The Corsair.' I have been regaled at every inn on the road by lampoons and other merry "I am much better, and indeed quite well this conceits on myself in the ministerial gazettes, ocmorning. I have received two, but I presume there casioned by the republication of two stanzas, inserted are more of the Ana, subsequently, and also some-in 1812, in Perry's paper. The hysterics of the thing previous, to which the Morning Chronicle Morning Post are quite interesting; and I hear (but replied. You also mentioned a parody on the Skull. I wish to see them all, because there may be things that require notice either by pen or person. "Yours, &c. "You need not trouble yourself to answer this; but send me the things when you get them." NOTE TO MR. MURRAY. "Feb. 10, 1814. have not seen) of something terrific in a last week's Courier: all which I take with the calm indifference' of Sir Fretful Plagiary. The Morning Post has one copy of devices upon my deformity, which certainly will admit of no 'historic doubts' like 'Dickon my master's;' another upon my atheism, which is not quite so clear; and another very down rightly says, I am the devil, (boiteux, they might have added,) and a rebel, and what not: possibly, my accuser of diabolism may be Rosa Matilda; and "If you have copies of the 'Intercepted Let- if so, it would not be difficult to convince her that I ters,* Lady Holland would be glad of a volume, am a mere man. I shall break in upon you in a day and when you have served others, have the goodness or two; distance has hitherto detained me; and I to think of your humble servant. hope to find you well, and myself welcome. "Ever your obliged and sincere "Monday, Feb. 14, 1814. LETTER CCVII. TO MR. MOORE. "Feb. 16, 1814. "Before I left town yesterday, I wrote you a note, which I presume you received. I have heard so many different accounts of your proceedings, or rather of those of others towards you, in eonsequence of the publication of these everlasting lines, that I am anxious to hear from yourself the real state of the case. Whatever responsibility, obloquy, or effect is to arise from the publication, should "You may be assured that the only prickles that surely not fall upon you in any degree; and I can have no objection to your stating, as distinctly and sting from the Royal hedgehog are those which pospublicly as you please, your unwillingness to publish sess a torpedo property, and may benumb some of them, and my own obstinacy upon the subject. my friends. I am quite silent, and 'hush'd in grim Take any course you please to vindicate yourself, repose.' The frequency of the assaults has weakbut leave me to fight my own way, and, as I before ened their effects,-if ever they had any;—and, if said, do not compromise me by any thing which may they had had much I should hardly have held my look like shrinking on my part; as for your own, make the best of it. LETTER CCV. TO MR. ROGERS. "MY DEAR ROGERS, must be unalterable. "Yours, "BN." "Feb. 16, 1814. quite new to attack a man for abandoning his resenttongue, or withheld my fingers. It is something ments. I have heard that previous praise and subsequent vituperation were rather ungrateful, but I did not know that it was wrong to endeavor to do justice to those who did not wait till I had made some amends for former and boyish prejudices, but received me into their friendship, when I might still have been their enemy. "You perceive justly that I must intentionally have made my fortune, like Sir Francis Wronghead. "I wrote to Lord Holland, briefly, but I hope dis- It were better if there were more merit in my independence; but it really is something now-a-days to tinctly, on the subject which has lately occupied be independent at all, and the less temptation to be much of my conversation with him and you. As otherwise, the more uncommon the case, in these things now stand, upon that topic my determination times of paradoxical servility. I believe that most "I declare to you most sincerely that there is no the same; but from henceforth, they must, of neof our hates and likings have been hitherto nearly human being on whose regard and esteem I set a higher value than on Lord Holland's; and, as far as cessity, be one and indivisible, and now for it! I concerns himself, I would concede even to humilia- am for any weapon,-the pen, till one can find tion without any view to the future, and solely from something sharper, will do for a beginning. my sense of his conduct as to the past. For the solemnity with which these two stanzas have been "You can have no conception of the ludicrous rest, I conceive that I have already done all in my treated. The Morning Post gave notice of an inpower by the suppression. If that is not enough, tended motion in the House of my brethren on the they must act as they please; but I will not 'teach subject, and God knows what proceedings besides; my tongue a most inherent baseness,' come what may. You will probably be at the Marquis Lans-and all this, as Bedridden in the 'Nights' says, downe's to-night. I am asked, but I am not sure last piece of intelligence is, I presume, too laughfor making a cream tart without pepper.' This that I shall be able to go. Hobhouse will be there. able to be true; and the destruction of the customI think, if you knew him well, you would like him. house appears to have, in some degree, interfered "Believe me always, yours very affectionately, LETTER CCVI. TO MR. ROGERS. Feb. 16, 1814. with mine;-added to which, the last battle of Bonaparte has usurped the column hitherto devoted to my bulletin. "I send you from this day's Morning Post the best which have hitherto appeared on this 'impudent doggerel,' as the Courier calls it. There was another about my diet, when a boy-not at all badsome time ago; but the rest are but indifferent. "I shall think about your oratorical hint ;*- -but I have never set much upon that cast,' and am grown as tired as Solomon of every thing, and of myself more than any thing. This is being what the learned call philosophical, and the vulgar, lack"As for any impression the public may receive a-daisical. I am, however, always glad of a blesfrom the revival of the lines on Lord Carlisle, let sing;† pray repeat yours soon,-at least, your letter, them keep it the more favorable for him, and the and I shall think the benediction included. worse for me-better for all. "If Lord Holland is satisfied, as far as regards himself and Lady Hd., and as this letter expresses him to be, it is enough. "All the sayings and doings in the world shall not make me utter another word of conciliation to * Relative to a proposed reconciliation between Lord Carlisle and himself. † Of the Satire. "Ever, &c." * Mr. Moore had endeavored to persuade him to take a part in parliamentary affairs, and to exercise his talent for oratory more frequently. In concluding his letter, Mr. Moore having said "God bless you! added-"at is, if you have no objection." LETTER CCVIII. TO MR. DALLAS. and its author. The poem itself, as the work of a young man, is creditable to your talents, and promises better for future efforts than any which I can "Feb. 17, 1814. now recollect. Whether you intend to pursue your "The Courier of this evening accuses me of hav-poetical career, I do not know, and can have no right ing 'received and pocketed' large sums for my to inquire-but, in whatever channel your abilities works. I have never yet received, nor wish to re- are directed, I think it will be your own fault if ceive, a farthing for any. Mr. Murray offered a they do not eventually lead to distinction. Happithousand for the Giaour and Bride of Abydos, ness must of course depend upon conduct-and even which I said was too much, and that if he could af-fame itself would be but a poor compensation for ford it at the end of six months, I would then direct self-reproach. You will excuse me for talking to a how it might be disposed of: but neither then, nor man perhaps not many years my junior, with these at any other period, have I ever availed myself of grave airs of seniority; but though I cannot claim the profits on my own account. For the republica- much advantage in that respect, it was my lot to bẹ tion of the Satire, I refused four hundred guineas; thrown very early upon the world-to mix a good and for the previous editions I never asked nor re- deal in it in more climates than one-and to purceived a sous, nor for any writing whatever. I do chase experience which would probably have been of not wish you to do any thing disagreeable to your- greater service to any one than myself. But my self; there never was nor shall be any conditions business with you is in your capacity of author, and nor stipulations with regard to any accommodation to that I will confine myself. that I could afford you; and, on your part, I can see "The first thing a young writer must expect, and nothing derogatory in receiving the copyright. It yet can least of all suffer, is criticism. I did not was only assistance afforded to a worthy man, by bear it-a few years, and many changes have since one not quite so worthy. passed over my head, and my reflections on that "Mr. Murray is going to contradict this ;* but subject are attended with regret. I find, on dispasyour name will not be mentioned: for your own sionate comparison, my own revenge more than the part, you are a free agent, and are to do as you provocation warranted. It is true, I was very young please. I only hope that now, as always, you will-that might be an excuse to those I attacked-but think that I wish to take no unfair advantage of the to me it is none: the best reply to all objections is accidental opportunity which circumstances permit- to write better-and if your enemies will not then ted me of being of use to you. "Ever, &c." In consequence of this letter, Mr. Dallas addressed an explanation to one of the newspapers, of which the following is a part: TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING POST. “SIR, "I have seen the paragraph in an evening paper, in which Lord Byron is accused of 'receiving and pocketing' large sums for his works. I believe no one who knows him has the slightest suspicion of this kind; but the assertion being public, I think it a justice I owe to Lord Byron to contradict it publicly. * * * "I take upon me to affirm that Lord Byron never received a shilling for any of his works. To my certain knowledge, the profits of the Satire were left entirely to the publisher of it. The gift of the copyright of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, I have already publicly acknowledged in the dedication of the new edition of my novels: and I now add my acknowledgment for that of the Corsair, not only for the profitable part of it, but for the delicate and delightful manner of bestowing it while yet unpublished. With respect to his two other poems, the Giaour and the Bride of Abydos, Mr. Murray, the publisher of them, can truly attest that no part of the sale of them has ever touched his hands, or been disposed of for his use." LETTER CCIX. do you justice, the world will. On the other hand, you should not be discouraged to be opposed, is not to be vanquished, though a timid mind is apt to mistake every scratch for a mortal wound. There is a saying of Dr. Johnson's, which it is as well to remember, that no man was ever written down except by himself.' I sincerely hope that you will meet with as few obstacles as yourself can desire but if you should, you will find that they are to be stepped over; to kick them down is the first resolve of a young and fiery spirit-a pleasant thing enough at the time-but not so afterwards: on this point, I speak of a man's own reflections-what others think or say, is a secondary consideration—at least, it has been so with me, but will not answer as a general maxim: he who would make his way in the world, must let the world believe that it was made for him, and accommodate himself to the minutest observance of its regulations. I beg once more to thank you for your pleasing present, "And have the honor to be LETTER CCX. TO MR. MOORE. "BYRON." "Feb. 26, 1814. "Dallas had, perhaps, have better kept silence; but that was his concern, and, as his facts are correct, and his motive not dishonorable to himself, I wished him well through it. As for his interpretations of the lines, he and any one else may interpret them as they please. I have and shall adhere to my taciturnity, unless something very particular occurs to render this impossible. Do not you say a word. If any one is to speak, it is the person principally concerned. The most amusing thing is that every one (to me) attributes the abuse to the man they personally most dislike!-some say Croker, some C**e, others Fitzgerald, &c., &c., &c. Í 'My absence from London till within these last do not know, and have no clue but conjecture. If few days, and business since, have hitherto pre- discovered, and he turns out a hireling, he must be vented my acknowledgment of the volume I have left to his wages; if a cavalier, he must 'wink, and lately received, and the inscription which it contains, hold out his iron.' for both of which I beg leave to return you my thanks, and best wishes for the success of the book "SIR, TO * * The statement of the Courier, &c. "Feb. 20, 1814. "I had some thoughts of putting the question to Croker, but Hobhouse, who, I am sure, would not dissuade me, if it were right, advised me by all means not that I had no right to take it upon Some day or other, when I am not aware, but he believes himself so, and we are veterans, I may tell you a tale of present and says there can be but one opinion on that subject. past times; and it is not from want of confidence This I am, at least, sure of, that he would never that I do not now,-but-but-always a but to the prevent me from doing what he deemed the duty of end of the chapter. suspicion,' &c., &c. Whether Hobhouse is correct, arises from other causes. I a preux chevalier. In such cases-at least, in this "There is nothing, however, upon the spot either country-we must act according to usages. In to love or hate;-but I certainly have subjects for considering this instance, I dismiss my own per- both at no very great distance, and am besides sonal feelings. Any man will and must fight, when embarrassed between three whom I know, and one necessary, even without a motive. Here, I should (whose name at least) I do not know. All this take it up really without much resentment; for would be very well, if I had no heart; but, unluckunless a woman one likes is in the way, it is some ily, I have found that there is such a thing still years since I felt a long anger. But, undoubtedly, about me, though in no very good repair, and, also, could I, or may I, trace it to a man of station, I that it has a habit of attaching itself to one, wheshould and shall do what is proper. ther I will or no. Divide et impera,' I begin to "**was angerly, but tried to conceal it. You think, will only do for politics. are not called upon to avow the Twopenny,' and "If I discover the toad,' as you call him, I would only gratify them by so doing. Do you not shall tread,'-and put spikes in my shoes to do it see the great object of all these fooleries is to set more effectually. The effect of all these fine things, him, and you, and me, and all persons whatsoever, I do not inquire much nor perceive. I believe ** by the ears?-more especially those who are on felt them more than either of us. People are civil good terms-and nearly succeeded. Lord H. wished enough, and I have had no dearth of invitations,— me to concede to Lord Carlisle-concede to the devil! none of which, however, I have accepted. I went —to a man who used me ill? I told him, in answer, out very little last year, and mean to go about still that I would neither concede, nor recede on the sub-less. I have no passion for circles, and have long ject, but be silent altogether; unless any thing regretted that I ever gave way to what is called a more could be said about Lady H. and himself, who town life;-which, of all the lives I ever saw (and had been since my very good friends;--and there it they are nearly as many as Plutarch's) seems to me ended. This was no time for concessions to Lord C. to leave the least for the past and future. "I have been interrupted, but shall write again soon. Believe me ever, my dear Moore, &c." ever. "How proceeds the Poem? Do not neglect it, and I have no fears. I need not say to you that your fame is dear to me,-I really might say dearer than my own; for I have lately begun to think my things have been strangely overrated; and, at any rate, whether or not, I have done with them for I may say to you, what I would not say to every body, that the last two were written, the Bride in four, and the Corsair in ten days,-which I take to be a most humiliating confession, as it proves my own want of judgment in publishing, and the public's, in reading things, which cannot have stamina for permanent attention. 'So much for Buckingham.' "I have but a few moments to write to you. Silence is the only answer to the things you mention; nor should I regard that man as my friend who said "I have no dread of your being too hasty, and 1 a word more on the subject. I care little for attacks, have still less of your failing. But I think a year but I will not submit to defences; and I do hope a very fair allotment of time to a composition which and trust that you have never entertained a serious is not to be Epic; and even Horace's Nonum prethought of engaging in so foolish a controversy. matur' must have been intended for the MillenniDallas's letter was, to his credit, merely as to the um,.or some longer-lived generation than ours. I facts which he had a right to state; I neither have wonder how much we should have had of him, had nor shall take the least public notice, nor permit he observed his own doctrines to the letter. Peace any one else to do so. If I discover the writer, be with you! Remember that I am always and then I may act in a different manner; but it will most truly yours, &c. not be in writing. "P. S. I never heard the 'report' you mention, "An expression in your letter has induced me to write this to you, to entreat you not to interfere in nor, I dare say, many others. But, in course, you, any way in such a business,-it is now nearly over, as well as others, have damned good-natured and depend upon it they are much more chagrined friends,' who do their duty in the usual way. One by my silence than they could be by the best defence thing will make you laugh in the world. I do not know any thing that would vex me more than any further reply to these things. * "Ever yours, in haste, "B." LETTER CCXII. LETTER CCXIII. TO MR. MOORE. "March 12, 1814. At TO MR. MOORE. "March 3, 1814. "Guess darkly, and you will seldom err. present, I shall say no more, and, perhaps-but no matter. I hope we shall some day meet, and whatMY DEAR FRIEND, ever years may precede or succeed it, I shall mark "I have a great mind to tell you that I am un-it with the 'white stone' in my calendar. I am comfortable,' if only to make you come to town; not sure that I shall not soon be in your neighborwhere no one ever more delighted in seeing you, hood again. If so, and I am alone, (as will probanor is there any one to whom I would sooner turn bly be the case,) I shall invade and carry you off, for consolation in my most vaporish moments. The and endeavor to atone for sorry fare by a sincere truth is, I have 'no lack of argument' to ponder welcome. I don't know the person absent (barring upon of the most gloomy description, but this the sect') I should be so glad to see again. "I have nothing of the sort you mention but the lines, (the Weepers,) (the Weepers,) if you like to have them in the Bag. I wish to give them all possible circula |