Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

LORD BYRON.

127

LETTER XIV.

AN EVENING AND A MORNING VISIT.

Lord and Lady Byron-Autograph of the poet-The Adam family of Marshgate-Reminiscences of 1826-Workmen and sick Gardener-John Urquhart and John Adam-Interview with the Bishop of Calcutta.

DEAR VIRGINIA,

Piazza Coffee-House, London,
June 16th, 1832.

You are not ignorant of the circumstances, under which I became acquainted at the Sandwich Islands with the present Lord Byron, nor of the interest and attachment with which I have long regarded him.

Letters, in greater or less frequency, have been interchanged by us for several years. The last addressed to me bears date only a short time since-its departure for the United States having been anticipated by my arrival here. Though unadvised of any intention on my part of crossing the Atlantic, his Lordship, in it, kindly gives an assurance of the pleasure it would afford him to welcome me in England; and early after reaching the metropolis, 1 left my card with a note, at his residence in Eaton Place, to inform him of my unexpected arrival.

He is one of the gentlemen of the Queen's household; but, not being at present on duty, had left the city for a day or two, and was not at the palace yesterday. A note from the country apprized

128

A SUBJECT OF REGRET.

me that he should, however, return after dinner, and would expect me to pass the evening with himself and Lady Byron.

This I did with very great pleasure. I found him more than ever the cordial, animated, and delightful friend and companion, who so fully won, under widely different circumstances and in far distant scenes, the confidence and friendship of my heart. No anticipation that 1 had been led to indulge, of the loveliness in person and character of Lady Byron, was disappointed; and in the flow of soul, induced by the kindness of their reception; in recollections of the voyage of the Blonde-mementos of which, in portraits of some of the Sandwich Islanders, and in different paintings having their origin in the cruise, cover the walls of the drawing-rooms-and in varied conversation on the passing and past, I was in danger of forgetting that I was a guest for a first time under their roof, and of prolonging my visit to an unseasonable hour.

One subject only was mentioned, during the evening, which gave rise to a regret-the fact, that I had not reached town a day or two earlier, that I might have made the acquaintance of Lady Noel Byron, and of Ada, the daughter of the poet. They have just completed a visit to the family; and had 1 been in London during it, should, probably, have had the gratification of meeting them under circumstances peculiarly desirable.

Our accomplished and amiable friend, Mrs. Ogle Tayloe, of Washington, in showing me some books of autographs last winter, remarked, that had she

AUTOGRAPH OF BYRON.

129

those of Byron and Bonaparte, she would scarce desire any further addition to those already in her possession. I was then just writing a letter to the present Lord; and mentioned to him the wish of my friend to secure the handwriting of his gifted relative and predecessor in the title. The request accompanying it had not been forgotten; and I had the satisfaction now of receiving, from the Hon. Miss Byron, his daughter, the desired scrap for Mrs. Tayloe, in an original verse never printed-the more to be valued from its being, with the exception of some of his larger poems, the only manuscript in his own writing now remaining in the family.

The morning of my present date, like the evening of the past, has been marked by more than ordinary pleasure and happiness, in the society of those whom 1 can even here meet, as long-attached and confidential friends-the Adam family of Marshgate, at Homerton, a northern suburb of the city, with whom I took breakfast.

This is one of the households into which myself and family were received, with all the kindness of Christian hospitality, on our arrival in London from the Sandwich Islands, in 1826. The residence of a fortnight beneath their roof at that time, gave origin to an intimacy and friendship which no length of separation can affect, and which the dissolution of time itself, I trust, will not destroy.

Compared with the extensive parks and splendid mansions of the princes of the land, Marshgate is an humble and unpretending retreat, upon which, over the high walls by which it is screened, the passing

[blocks in formation]

traveller would scarce bestow a second glance. But associated as the "elegant sufficiency" within its boun daries is, with all that is most winning, in the spirit and graces of Christian piety, in a refinement of man. ners, and a cultivation of mind, there is a charm cast over its lawns and shrubbery, its streamlets and bridges, secluded walks and consecrated alcoves which to me outrivals in the affections of the heart, all the greater magnificence and luxury of more noble domains.

1 shall not soon forget the happy impression first made upon my mind, by this example of English Christian life; one only of ten thousand in the same class of society, which, I rejoice to believe, adorn and bless the land in its length and breadth. The perfect order, neatness, system and quietude of the whole establishment; the excellence, fidelity, and attachment of the servants; the gentleness and kindness towards them of their superiors; the affectionate interchange of the salutations of the morning and the evening, by parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friend and friend-as they first met for a sacrifice of praise and prayer at the family altar, or separated after the same heavenly duty for the repose of the night-all had a double charm for me, after having witnessed, for three years, scarce anything but the wildness of heathenism in a pagan land. And seemed, from day to day, a continued illustration of the golden precept of our religion, "to do to others," in all the economy of life," as we would have them do to us."

The benevolence of Christianity appeared blended

[blocks in formation]

with everything. I recollect, the day of our reception by them, to have been particularly struck with an evidence of this, in the first few moments of conversation with Mr. Adam. He was showing me the gardens and grounds. Every department appeared in the neatest possible order; still, at different points, we met workmen clipping lawns already as smooth as velvet, and searching the shrubbery and walks for every fading leaf and every straggling pebble. To a remark upon this extreme care, he replied"it is by no means necessary, Mr. Stewart, to the full enjoyment of the beauties of Creation around us, either by myself or family, that everything should be kept in the neatness you observe; but, dear Sir, we are surrounded by many who scarce know where to get a loaf of bread, and the employment 1 thus give to these poor men, not only keeps them from idleness, but gains for them an honest and comfortable livelihood." And on noticing to him a little time after, the pretty effect of a cottage seen from a particular point, the same spirit in the utmost simplicity of heart presented itself, as he answered; "yes, dear Sir, it forms a pretty object; but there is something more pleasing in it than mere ornament-it makes a happy home for the family of one of the poor workmen we have just passed."

The same spirit, still, there breathes its blessings around. This morning, while I was taking a hasty turn through the grounds, before coming to town, 1 met one of these labourers, in a garden chair, drawn by his wife. He was ill, and appeared very feeble; and, in answer to the question, how long he had been

« AnteriorContinuar »