"Newstead Abbey, September 2. 1814.

I am obliged by what you have sent, but would rather not see any thing of the kind 2; we have had enough already of these things, good and bad, and next month you need not

trouble yourself to collect even the higher generation on my account. It gives me much pleasure to hear of Mr. Hobhouse's and Mr. Merivale's good entreatment by the journals you mention.

I be

The

“I still think Mr. Hogg and yourself might make out an alliance. Dodsley's was, lieve, the last decent thing of the kind, and his had great success in its day, and lasted several years; but then he had the double advantage of editing and publishing. Spleen, and several of Gray's odes, much of Shenstone, and many others of good repute, made their first appearance in his collection. Now, with the support of Scott, Wordsworth, Southey, &c., I see little reason why you should not do as well; and, if once fairly established, you would have assistance from the youngsters, I dare say. Stratford Canning (whose Buonaparte' is excellent), and many others, and Moore, and Hobhouse, and I, would try a fall now and then (if per

It was, if I mistake not, during his recent visit to Newstead, that he himself actually fancied he saw the ghost of the Black Friar, which was supposed to have haunted the Abbey from the time of the dissolution of the monasteries, and which he thus describes, from the recollection perhaps of his own fantasy, in Don Juan :"It was no mouse, but, lo! a monk, array'd

In cowl and beads and dusky garb, appear'd,
Now in the moonlight, and now lapsed in shade,
With steps that trod as heavy, yet unheard:
His garments only a slight murmur made:
He moved as shadowy as the sisters weird,
But slowly; and as he pass'd Juan by,

Glanced, without pausing, on him a bright eye."

It is said, that the Newstead ghost appeared, also, to Lord Byron's cousin, Miss Fanny Parkins, and that she made a sketch of him from memory.

2 The reviews and magazines of the month.

3 [William Sharp was an engraver of great eminence. He was a strenuous disciple of the notorious Richard Brothers, and actually engraved two plates of the soidisant prophet, lest one should be insufficient to produce the requisite number of impressions which would be called for on the arrival of the predicted Milennium. He afterwards attached himself to the school of Johanna Southcote, of whose pretensions he was a stanch sup

mitted), and you might coax Campbell, too, into it. By the by, he has an unpublished (though printed) poem on a scene in Germany, (Bavaria, I think,) which I saw last year, that is perfectly magnificent, and equal to himself. I wonder he don't publish it. Oh! do you recollect Sharp, the engraver's, mad letter about not engraving Phillips's picture of Lord Foley (as he blundered it)? well, I have traced it, I think. hanna Southcote's is named Foley; and 1 It seems, by the papers, a preacher of Jo

66

can

confusion of words and ideas, but by that of no way account for the said Sharp's apostles. It was a mercy he did not say his head's running on Johanna and her Lord Tozer. You know, of course, that

Sharp is a believer in this new (old) virgin of spiritual impregnation.3

her being with child at sixty-five is indeed a I long to know what she will produce +; miracle, but her getting any one to beget it,

a greater.

land, I could send you some game: if you If you were not going to Paris or Scot

remain, let me know.

"P. S. A word or two of Lara,' which your enclosure brings before me. It is of no great promise separately; but, as connected with the other tales, it will do very well for the volumes you mean to publish. I would recommend this arrangement Childe Harold, the smaller Poems, Giaour, Bride, Corsair, Lara; the last completes the series, and its very likeness renders it necessary to the others. Cawthorne writes

porter to the last. On the death of the lunatic in 1814, Mr. Sharp publicly asserted his conviction, that “she was only gone to heaven for a season, to legitimate the embryo child." He died in 1825.]

4 The following characteristic note, in reference to this passage, appears, in Mr. Gifford's hand-writing, on the copy of the above letter:-" It is a pity that Lord B. was ignorant of Jonson. The old poet has a Satire on the Court Pucelle that would have supplied him with some pleasantry on Johanna's pregnancy."

["Shall I advise thee, Pucelle ? steal away

From court, while yet thy fame hath some small day;
The wits will leave you if they once perceive

You cling to lords; and lords, if them you leave
For sermoneers: of which now one, now other,
They say you weekly invite with fits o' the mother,
And practise for a miracle : take heed,
This age will lend no faith to Darrel's deed;
Or if it would, the court is the worst place,
Both for the mothers, and the babes of grace,
For there the wicked in the chair of scorn
Will call't a bastard, when a prophet's born.

"The last couplet has a singular bearing on the juggle of Johanna Southcote.". · Gifford's Jonson, vol. viii. p. 438.]

ET. 26.

that they are publishing English Bards in Ireland: pray enquire into this; because it must be stopped."

263

LETTER 198.

66

TO MR. MURRAY.

"Newstead Abbey, September 7. 1814.

I should think Mr. Hogg, for his own sake as well as yours, would be 'critical' as Jago himself, in his editorial capacity; and that such a publication would answer his purpose and yours too, with tolerable management. You should, however, have a good number to start with- I mean good in quality; in these days, there can be little fear of not coming up to the mark in quantity. There must be many fine things' in Wordsworth; but I should think it difficult to make sir quartos (the amount of the whole) all fine, particularly the pedler's portion of the poem; but there can be no doubt of his powers to do almost any thing.

"I am very idle.' I have read the few books I had with me, and been forced to fish, for lack of other argument. I have caught a great many perch and some carp, which is a comfort, as one would not lose one's labour willingly.

"Pray, who corrects the press of your volumes? I hope The Corsair' is printed from the copy I corrected, with the additional lines in the first canto, and some notes from Sismondi and Lavater, which I gave you to add thereto. The arrangement is very well.

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My cursed people have not sent my papers since Sunday, and I have lost Johanna's divorce from Jupiter. Who hath gotten her with prophet? Is it Sharp, and how? *** I should like to buy one of her seals: if salvation can be had at halfa-guinea a head, the landlord of the Crown and Anchor should be ashamed of himself for charging double for tickets to a mere terrestrial banquet. I am afraid, seriously,

that these matters will lend a sad handle to your profane scoffers, and give a loose to much damnable laughter.

"I have not seen Hunt's Sonnets nor Descent of Liberty: he has chosen a pretty place wherein to compose the last. Let me hear from you before you embark.

"Ever, &c."

[ " P. S. Mrs. Leigh and the children are very well. I have just read to her a sentence from your epistle, and the remark was, How well he writes!' So you see you may set up as author in person, whenever you please."]

"Newstead Abbey, September 15. 1814.

This is the fourth letter I have begun to you within the month. Whether I shall finish or not, or burn it like the rest, I know not. When we meet, I will explain why I have not written why I have not asked you here, as I wished — with a great many other whys and wherefores, which will keep cold. In short, you must excuse all my seeming omissions and commissions, and grant me more remission than St. Athanasius will to yourself, if you lop off a single shred of mystery from his pious puzzle. It is my creed (and it may be St. Athanasius's too) that your article on Thurlow will get somebody killed, and that, on the Saints, get him d-d afterwards, which will be quite enow for one number. Oons, Tom! you must not meddle just now with the incomprehensible; for if Johanna Southcote turns out to be

*

*

*

"Now for a little egotism. My affairs stand thus. To-morrow I shall know whether a circumstance of importance enough to change many of my plans will occur or not. If it does not, I am off for Italy next month, and London, in the mean time, next week. I have got back Newstead and twenty-five thousand pounds (out of twentyeight paid already),- as a 'sacrifice,' the late purchaser calls it, and he may choose his own name. I have paid some of my debts, and contracted others; but I have a few thousand pounds, which I can't spend after my own heart in this climate, and so, I shall go back to the south. Hobhouse, I think and hope, will go with me ; but, whether he will or not, I shall. I want to see Venice, and the Alps, and Parmesan cheeses, and look at the coast of Greece, or rather Epirus, from Italy, as I once did - or fancied I did

that of Italy, when off Corfu. All this, however, depends upon an event, which may, or may not, happen. Whether it will, I shall know probably to-morrow; and, if it does, I can't well go abroad at present.

66

Pray pardon this parenthetical scrawl. You shall hear from me again soon; don't call this an answer.

stood high in his affection and confidence, observing how cheerless and unsettled was the state both of his mind and prospects, advised him strenuously to marry; and, after much discussion, he consented. The next point for consideration was - who was to be the object of his choice; and while his friend mentioned one lady, he himself named Miss Milbanke. To this, however, his adviser strongly objected, — remarking to him, that Miss Milbanke had at present no fortune, and that his embarrassed affairs would not allow him to marry without one; that she was, moreover, a learned lady, which would not at all suit him. In consequence of these representations, he agreed that his friend should write a proposal for him to the other lady named, which was accordingly done; and an answer, containing a refusal, arrived as they were, one morning, sitting together. "You see," said Lord Byron, that, after all, Miss Milbanke is to be the person; - I will write to her." He accordingly wrote on the moment, and, as soon as he had finished, his friend, remonstrating still strongly against his choice, took up the letter, but, on reading it over, observed, "Well, really, this is a very pretty letter; it is a pity it should not go. I never read a prettier one."-"Then it shall go," said Lord Byron; and in so saying, sealed and sent off, on the instant, this fiat of his fate.

LETTER 200.

TO MR. Moore.

"Nd., September 15. 1814.

["This recital will amuse some and shock others: us it both amuses and shocks; and we presume that it presents a fair specimen of the thoughts and feelings of that high life into which all men must be admitted, as Byron was by birth and Moore by genius (so said his lordship), ere they can hope to become poets! Nothing in the lowest farce was ever lower; yet it may be said to have been the prologue to a tragedy which had a grievous catastrophe. It may not be always much amiss to employ a friend to buy one a shandrydan or a trotting pony;

water, and rowing over it, and firing at the fowls of the air. But why should I'monster my nothings' to you, who are well employed, and happily too, I should hope? For my part, I am happy, too, in my way - but, as usual, have contrived to get into three or four perplexities, which I do not see my way through. But a few days, perhaps a day, will determine one of them.

"You do not say a word to me of your poem. I wish I could see or hear it. I neither could, nor would, do it or its author any harm. I believe I told you of Larry and Jacquy. A friend of mine was reading

at least a friend of his was readingsaid Larry and Jacquy in a Brighton coach. A passenger took up the book and queried as to the author. The proprietor said there were two'- to which the answer of the unknown was, Ay, ay, a joint concern, I suppose, summot like Sternhold and Hopkins.'

66

Is not this excellent? I would not have missed the 'vile comparison' to have 'scaped being one of the Arcades ambo et cantare pares.' Good night. Again yours."

TO MOORE AND DRURY. -WEDDING PREPARATIONS. VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE. STATE OF LORD BYRON'S MIND AND FEELINGS. EVENINGS AT DOUGLAS KINNAIRD'S. PECUNIARY EMBARRASSMENTS.

MOORE AND MURRAY.- HONEY-MOON. HEBREW MELODIES.- DEATH OF THE DUKE OF DORSET. LETTER TO COLERIDGE.

LETTER 201. TO MR. MOORE.

"Newstead Abbey, Sept. 20. 1814.

"Here's to her who long Hath waked the poet's sigh! The girl who gave to song

I

What gold could never buy. My dear Moore, am going to be married - that is, I am accepted, and one usually hopes the

but when the transaction regards a wife, pray keep the pen in your own hand: for if you employ an amanuensis —a secretary—a clerk, not only to write your proposal of marriage to your intended, but commission him to put his finger on the object proper for your choice, you have only to look along the vista of your future years,' and 'tis shut up by that impressive temple, Doctors' Commons." WILSON.]

2 On the day of the arrival of the lady's answer, he was sitting at dinner, when his gardener came in and presented

rest will follow. My mother of the Gracchi (that are to be), you think too strait-laced for me, although the paragon of only children, and invested with golden opinions of all sorts of men,' and full of most blest conditions' as Desdemona herself. Miss Milbanke is the lady, and I have her father's invitation to proceed there in my elect capacity, which, however, I cannot do till I have settled some business in London, and got a blue coat.

66

She is said to be an heiress, but of that I really know nothing certainly, and shall not enquire. But I do know, that she has talents and excellent qualities; and you will not deny her judgment, after having refused six suitors and taken me.

"Now, if you have any thing to say against this, pray do; my mind's made up, positively fixed, determined, and therefore I will listen to reason, because now it can do no harm. Things may occur to break it off, but I will hope not. In the mean time, I tell you (a secret, by the by, at least till I know she wishes it to be public) that I have proposed and am accepted. You need not be in a hurry to wish me joy, for one mayn't be married for months. I am going to town to-morrow; but expect to be here, on my way there, within a fortnight.

I

"If this had not happened, I should have gone to Italy. In my way down, perhaps, you will meet me at Nottingham, and come over with me here. I need not say that nothing will give me greater pleasure. must, of course, reform thoroughly; and, seriously, if I can contribute to her happiness, I shall secure my own. She is so good that a person, that - in short, I wish I was a better. Ever, &c."

LETTER 202.

TO THE COUNTESS OF ***.

"Dear Lady **,

"Your recollection and invitation do me great honour; but I am going to be 'married, and can't come. My intended is two hundred miles off, and the moment my business here is arranged, I must set out in a great hurry to be happy. Miss Milbanke is the good-natured person who has undertaken me, and, of course, I am very much in love, and as silly as all single gentlemen must be in that sentimental situation. I have been accepted these three weeks; but when the

event will take place, I don't exactly know. It depends partly upon lawyers, who are never in a hurry. One can be sure of nothing; but, at present, there appears no other interruption to this intention, which seems as mutual as possible, and now no secret, though I did not tell first, and all our relatives are congratulating away to right and left in the most fatiguing manner.

You perhaps know the lady. She is niece to Lady Melbourne, and cousin to Lady Cowper and others of your acquaintance, and has no fault, except being a great deal too good for me, and that I must pardon, if nobody else should. It might have been two years ago, and, if it had, would have saved me a world of trouble. She has employed the interval in refusing about half a dozen of my particular friends, (as she did me once, by the way,) and has taken me at last, for which I am very much obliged to her. I wish it was well over, for I do hate bustle, and there is no marrying without some; and then, I must not marry in a black coat, they tell me, and I can't bear a blue one.

"Pray forgive me for scribbling all this nonsense. You know I must be serious all the rest of my life, and this is a parting piece of buffoonery, which I write with tears in my eyes, expecting to be agitated. Believe me most seriously and sincerely your obliged servant, BYRON. My best rems. to Lord ** on

"P. S. his return."

LETTER 203. TO MR. MOORE.

66

"October 7. 1814.

"Notwithstanding the contradictory paragraph in the Morning Chronicle, which must have been sent by **, or perhaps - I know not why I should suspect Claughton of such a thing, and yet I partly do, because it might interrupt his renewal of purchase, if so disposed; in short, it matters not, but we are all in the road to matrimony - lawyers settling, relations congratulating, my intended as kind as heart could wish, and every one, whose opinion I value, very glad of it. All her relatives, and all mine too, seem equally pleased.

66

Perry was very sorry, and has re-contradicted, as you will perceive by this day's paper. It was, to be sure, a devil of an insertion, since the first paragraph came from Sir Ralph's own County Journal, and this in

will be married with this very ring." It did contain a very flattering acceptance of his proposal, and a duplicate of the letter had been sent to London, in case this should have missed him.- Memoranda.

the teeth of it would appear to him and his as my denial. But I have written to do away that, enclosing Perry's letter, which was very polite and kind.

66

Nobody hates bustle so much as I do; but there seems a fatality over every scene of my drama, always a row of some sort or other. No matter-Fortune is my best friend; and as I acknowledge my obligations to her, I hope she will treat me better than she treated the Athenian, who took some merit to himself on some occasion, but (after that) took no more towns. In fact, she, that exquisite goddess, has hitherto carried me through every thing, and will, I hope, now; since I own it will be all her doing.

"Well, now, for thee. Your article on ** is perfection itself. You must not leave off reviewing. By Jove, I believe you can do any thing. There is wit, and taste, and learning, and good humour (though not a whit less severe for that), in every line of that critique.

"Next to your being an E. Reviewer, my being of the same kidney, and Jeffrey's being such a friend to both, are amongst the events which I conceive were not calculated upon in Mr. - what's his name?'s-Essay on Probabilities.' '

66

But, Tom, I say-Oons! Scott menaces the Lord of the Isles.' 2 Do you mean to compete? or lay by, till this wave has broke upon the shelves? (of booksellers, not rocks -a broken metaphor, by the way). You ought to be afraid of nobody; but your modesty is really as provoking and unnecessary I am very merry, and have just been writing some elegiac stanzas on the death of Sir P. Parker. He was my first cousin, but never met since boyhood. Our relations desired me, and I have scribbled and given it to Perry, who will chronicle it to-morrow. I am as sorry for him as one could be for one I never saw since I was a

as a

S.

child; but should not have wept melodiously, except at the request of friends.'

66

I hope to get out of town and be married, but I shall take Newstead in my way; and you must meet me at Nottingham and accompany me to mine Abbey. I will tell you the day when I know it.

"Ever, &c. "P. S.-By the way my wife elect is

[A review of La Place's "Essai Philosophique sur les Probabilités" had just appeared in the Edinburgh.]

2 [Sir Walter Scott's " Lord of the Isles" was advertised in the autumn of this year, and published in the January following.]

3 [See Works, p. 560. This gallant officer fell, in August 1814, at the early age of twenty-eight, whilst com

perfection, and I hear of nothing but her merits and her wonders, and that she is 'very pretty.' Her expectations, I am told, are great; but what, I have not asked. i have not seen her these ten months."

LETTER 204. TO MR. MOore.

"October 14. 1814.

would make a difference between my friends "An' there were any thing in marriage that and me, particularly in your case, I would

' none on't.'

My agent sets off for Durham next week, and I shall follow him, taking Newstead and you in my way. I certainly did not address Miss Milbanke with these views, but it is likely she may prove a conleave her, he will; and from her childless siderable parti. All her father can give, or uncle, Lord Wentworth, whose barony, it is supposed, will devolve on Ly. Milbanke (his But these will sister), she has expectations. depend upon his own disposition, which only child, and Sir R.'s estates, though seems very partial towards her. She is an dipped by electioneering, are considerable.

that will be dowered now, I do not know,— Part of them are settled on her; but whether though, from what has been intimated to me, it probably will. The lawyers are to settle this among them, and I am getting my property into matrimonial array, and myself ready for the journey to Seaham, which I must make in a week or ten days.

"I certainly did not dream that she was for some time. attached to me, which it seems she has been I also thought her of a very cold disposition, in which I was also misble you with it. As to her virtues, &c. taken it is a long story, and I won't trou&c. you will hear enough of them (for she is a kind of pattern in the north), without my running into a display on the subject. It is well that one of us is of such fame,

since there is sad deficit in the morale of that article upon my part, all owing to my 'bitch of a star,' as Captain Tranchemont says of his planet.

of me in your article on T** 'Don't think you have not said enough *; what more

could or need be said ? +