so as to bewilder him, for the last ten days of Lord Byron's life, that he is an incompetent witness as to the state of the body after death. But this statement is the only ground for the reviewer's opinion, that early and copious bleeding would have saved Lord Byron's life. In this statement, be it also remarked, he does not place implicit confidence. Let any man, therefore, take into account the mode in which Lord Byron lived in Greece, together with his former habits, and the severe exercise he then took, and I think a conviction will immediately arise in his mind, as in mine, that Lord Byron's disease needed not the remedy of bleeding.

'He was, before the fever attacked him, reduced to a mere shadow; and the slow fever, as it is called by Mr. Fletcher, which terminated his existence, was only the symptom of that general disease, which, from the time of my arrival in Greece, had been gradually wasting his frame. However learnedly the doctors may talk and write on the matter, it is plain and palpable to common observation, that Lord Byron was worried and starved to death. A part of his irritation arose from the structure of his own mind; but much of it was caused by those with whom he was connected, in and about the affairs of Greece. His diet was dictated by his own will, and for that he is responsible; but for the medical treatment his physicians must answer. To pacify the people of this empire, for the loss of one of the greatest, if not the greatest of their poets, and one of the most ardent champions of rational freedom, they have been told, that the structure of his frame did not promise a long life. The eagerness with which this circumstance was put forward indicates a conviction, in other bosoms than mine, that a different treatment would have saved Lord Byron's valuable life. He cannot now be recalled; anger would only disturb his ashes; but, in proportion as we loved and valued him, must we be displeased at those whose conduct hastened his dissolution.

6

• Before I conclude, I cannot help adverting to some other disastrous consequences, which have resulted from our interfering in the affairs of Greece. Perhaps Lord Byron's loss may outweigh all the other casualties, but it was not the only one. Lord Charles Murray, an upright and honorable young-minded man, also fell a victim to his zeal for Grecian liberty, and died at Gastouni. To say nothing of those who fell by the hand of the enemy, several, besides Lieutenant Sass, have been killed in what may ⚫ called civil broils. Mr. Gill, the foreman in the laboratory, died of disease; and Mr. Blackett and Mr. Winter terminated their existence by their own hands. I have

already stated what was the result of sending out the mechanies. They were of no use to Greece. As the price of our assistance, whatever may have been our intentions, we have in fact widened the divisions among the chieftains; we offered to them a prize, which each was eager to gain at the expense of the others; we introduced plans for codes of laws, and other measures which had for their object to Anglify Greece; we saddled them with a number of foreigners, who excited the hatred of the people; and we, I believe, as many intelligent Greeks believe, have postponed, by our interference, the hour of their final liberation. That the wish among our people to assist the Greeks was and is ardent and sincere no man can doubt; that the high and exalted individuals, whose names are attached to the Greek Committee, were and are zealous in watching over the management of the funds committed to their charge, is to be presumed, from their known integrity; but every man must deplore that the means placed at their disposal have been applied with so little judgment, or with so little discrimination, that where it was intended to confer benefits, only mischief has been inflicted.'

The straight forward fearless manner in which the whole of this account is expressed, as well as the opportunities which we know the writer had of being acquainted with every fact he relates, give it, in our opinion, a peculiar value.

Another account, and, although a very different, still not a less interesting one, has been collected from the mouth of Mr. Fletcher, who has been for more than twenty years his faithful and confidential attendant. It is very possible that the account may contain inaccuracies': the agitation of the scene may have created some confusion in the mind of an humble but an affectionate friend: memory may, it is possible, in some trifling instances have played him false: and some of the thoughts may have been changed either in the sense or in the expression, or by passing through the mind of an uneducated man. But we are convinced of the general accuracy of the whole, and consider ourselves very fortunate in being the means of preserving so affecting and interesting a history of the last days of the greatest and the truest poet that England has for some time produced.

continued his usual custom of permit, until the 9th of April.

My master,' says Mr. Fletcher, riding daily when the weather would But on that ill-fated day he got very wet; and on his return home his lordship changed the whole of his dress; but he had been too long in his wet clothes, and the cold, of which he had complained

more or less ever since we left Cephalonia, made this attack be more severely felt. Though rather feverish during the night, his lordship slept pretty well, but complained in the morning of a pain in his bones and a head-ache: this did not, however, prevent him from taking a ride in the afternoon, which I grieve to say was his last. On his return, my master said that the saddle was not perfectly dry, from being so wet the day before, and observed that he thought it had made him worse. His lordship was again visited by the same slow fever, and I was sorry to perceive, on the next morning, that his illness appeared to be increasing. He was very low, and complained of not having had any sleep during the night. His lordship's appetite was also quite gone. I prepared a little arrow-root, of which he took three or four spoonfuls, saying it was very good, but could take no more. It was not till the third day, the 12th, that I began to be alarmed for my master. In all his former colds he always slept well, and was never affected by this slow fever. I therefore went to Dr. Bruno and Mr. Millingen, the two medical attendants, and inquired minutely into every circumstance connected with my master's present illness: both replied that there was no danger, and I might make myself perfectly easy on the subject, for all would be well in a few days.—This was on the 13th. On the following day I found my master in such a state, that I could not feel happy without supplicating that he would send to Zante for Dr. Thomas. After expressing my fears lest his lordship should get worse, he desired me to consult the doctors; which I did, and was told there was no occasion for calling in any person, as they hoped all would be well in a few days.-Here I should remark, that his lordship repeatedly said, in the course of the day, he was sure the doctors did not understand his disease; to which I answered, " Then, my lord, have other advice by all means."- They tell me," said his lordship, “that it is only a common cold, which, you know, I have had a thousand times."—" I am sure, my lord," said I, “ that you never had one of so serious a nature.” "I think I never had" was bis lordship's answer. I repeated my supplications that Dr. Thomas should be sent for, on the 15th, and was again assured that my master would be better in two or three days. After these confident assurances, I did not renew my entreaties until it was too late. With respect to the medicines that were given to my master, I could not persuade myself that those of a strong purgative nature were the best adapted for his complaint, concluding that, as he had nothing on his stomach, the only effect would be to create pair: indeed this must have been

"

THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF LORD BYRON.

733

the case with a person in perfect health. The whole nourishment taken by my master, for the last eight days, consisted of a small quantity of broth at two or three different times, and two spoonfuls of arrow-root on the 18th, the day before his death. The first time I heard of there being any intention of bleeding his lordship was on the 15th, when it was proposed by Dr. Bruno, but objected to at first by my master, who asked Mr. Millingen if there was any very great reason for taking blood.-The latter replied that it might be of service, but added that it could be deferred till the next day;-and accordingly my master was bled in the right arm, on the evening of the 16th, and a pound of blood was taken. I observed, at the time, that it had a most inflamed appearance. Dr. Bruno now began to say he had frequently urged my master to be bled, but that he always refused. A long dispute now arose about the time that had been lost, and the necessity of sending for medical assistance to Zante; upon which I was informed, for the first time, that it would be of no use, as my master would be better, or no more, before the arrival of Dr. Thomas. His lordship continued to get worse: but Dr. Bruno said, he thought letting blood again would save his life: and I lost no time in telling my master how necessary it was to comply with the doctor's wishes. To this he replied by saying, he feared they knew nothing about his disorder; and then, stretching out his arm, said, "Here, take my arm, and do whatever you like." His lordship continued to get weaker; and on the 17th he was bled twice in the morning, and at two o'clock in the afternoon. The bleeding at both times was followed by fainting fits, and he would have fallen down more than once, had I not caught him in my arms. In order to prevent such an accident, I took care not to let his lordship stir without supporting him. On this day my master said to me twice, "I cannot sleep, and you well know I have not been able to sleep for more than a week: I know," added his lordship, "that a man can only be a certain time without sleep, and then he must go mad, without any one being able to save him; and I would ten times sooner shoot myself than be mad, for I am not afraid of dying-I am more fit to die than people think." I do not, however, believe that his lordship had any apprehension of his fate till the day after, the 18th, when he said, "I fear you and Tita will be ill by sitting up constantly night and day." I answered, "We shall never leave your lordship till you are better." As my master had a slight to remove the pistols and

fit of delirium on the 16th, I took care stiletto, which had hitherto been kept at his bed-side in the night. On

the 18th his lordship addressed me frequently, and seemed to be very much dissatisfied with his medical treatment. I then said, "Do allow me to send for Dr. Thomas;" to which he answered," Do so, but be quick. I am sorry I did not let you do so before, as I am sure they have mistaken my disease. Write yourself, for I know they would not like to see other doctors here." I did not lose a moment in obeying my master's orders; and, on informing Dr. Bruno and Mr. Millingen of it, they said it was very right, as they now began to be afraid themselves. On returning to my master's room, his first words were, "Have you sent ?"—"I have, my lord," was my answer; upon which he said, "You have done right, for I should like to know what is the mater with me." Although his lordship did not appear to think his dissolution was so near, I could perceive he was getting weaker every hour, and he even began to have occasional fits of delirium. He afterwards said, "I now begin to think I am seriously ill; and, in case I should be taken off suddenly, I wish to give you several directions, which I hope you will be particular in seeing executed." I answered I would, in case such an event came to pass; but expressed a hope that he would live many years to execute them much better himself than I could, To this my master replied, "No, it is now nearly over;" and then added, "I must tell you all without losing a moment!" I then said, "Shall I go, my lord, and fetch pen, ink, and paper ?"- Oh, iny God! no, you will lose too much time, and I have it not to spare, for my time is now short," said his lordship; and immediately after, "Now pay attention," His lordship commenced begged him, however, to He then continued, “ Oh,

by saying, "You will be provided for." I proceed with things of more consequence. my poor dear child!-my dear Ada! My God! could I but have seen her! Give her my blessing-and my dear sister Augusta and her children;-and will you go to Lady Byron, and say

- tell her

every thing;-you are friends with her." His lordship appeared to be greatly affected at this moment. Here my master's voice failed him, so that I could only catch a word at intervals; but he kept muttering something very seriously for some time, and would often raise his voice and say, "Fletcher, now if you do not execute every order which I have given you, I will torment you hereafter, if possible." Here I told his lordship, in a state of the greatest perplexity, that I had not understood a word of what he said; to which he replied, "Oh, my God! then all is lost, for it is now too late! Can it be possible